As EU members states scramble to implement the EU
Whistleblower Protection Directive by the December 2021 deadline,
this article takes stock of whistleblowing law around the globe,
considers how the new directive will change the legal landscape and
highlights the key points to consider when putting together a
whistleblowing policy or procedure.
Whistleblowing law outside the EU
Many countries have laws to encourage employees to blow the
whistle on wrongdoing within their organisations and to protect
them from retaliation as a result.
Some countries have introduced overarching employment laws
protecting employees who blow the whistle in a work-related context
(e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the UK). The type of
malpractice which attracts protection if reported varies by
country. Typically, employees are protected if they report concerns
about suspected unlawful conduct by their employing organisation,
but Australia goes further by protecting whistleblowers
