Whistleblowing in Sweden: understanding the new Swedish whistleblower law

The Swedish government presents a bill to transpose the EU Whistleblower Directive. This means, among other things, that all businesses with at least 50 employees will be obliged to introduce channels for reporting malpractice, and whistleblowers’ identities will be protected.

– A strong protection for our whistleblowers is important for us to know that our tax money is used correctly, said Minister of Labor Eva Nordmark (S) at a press conference on Thursday, and continued:

– We will also not obscure any problems in welfare. And it is important that employers do not have to scare their employees into silence.

With the Government’s bill, which is based on the EU Whistleblower Directive from 2019, the protection for whistleblowers will be strengthened in the entire labor market. A new law on reporting misconduct will apply to all private and public activities, and replace the current whistleblower law.

The new law means a clearer system for how reports of misconduct are to be handled. It should make it easier and safer to blow a whistle.

– For example, if I work in a large private care business, my employer must make sure that there is somewhere I can turn if I want to report misconduct. They can not ignore what I tell but will become obliged to follow up and communicate, said Eva Nordmark.

– We welcome the continued efforts to put the EU directive into law, our platform is designed to support the toughest interpretation of the directive to help people stay safe, says NorthWhistle CEO Iman Pouya.