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Slovak Republic

Improving Internal Systems for Protection of Whistleblowers (SK0148)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Slovak Republic Action Plan 2024-2026 (June)

Action Plan Cycle: 2024

Status:

Institutions

Lead Institution: Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (ÚOO)

Support Institution(s): Ministries and other state institutions, General prosecution

Policy Areas

Anti Corruption and Integrity, Capacity Building, Whistleblower Protections

IRM Review

IRM Report: Slovak Republic Action Plan Review 2024-2026

Early Results: Pending IRM Review

Design i

Verifiable: Yes

Relevant to OGP Values: Yes

Ambition (see definition): Low

Implementation i

Completion: Pending IRM Review

Description

Background situation or problem addressed by the commitment: The Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers, established by Act No. 54/2019 Coll. on the protection of whistleblowers of anti-social activities and on amendments to certain laws, as amended by later regulations, prepared a model manual and methodological guidelines to assist central bodies of state administration in setting up effective internal systems for reporting anti-social activities. Additionally, in the OGP National Action Plan 2022-2024, the Office committed to organize trainings for public administration employees. However, practical experience has shown the need to further advance these initiatives. Therefore, the OPW is developing unified qualitative criteria that clearly define what an internal reporting system must fulfill to be functional and effective. Deficiencies have also been identified in informing employees about the possibilities of reporting and protecting whistleblowers. Therefore, the OPW proposes introducing mandatory adaptation training for employees in the field of reporting anti-social activities and protecting whistleblowers.

Contents of the commitment: a) Development of qualitative criteria for internal reporting systems of anti-social activities; b) Cooperation in implementing qualitative criteria into existing internal reporting systems of anti-social activities; c) Development of the content of adaptation training for employees.

How the commitment will contribute to solving the problem: The commitment will contribute to improving internal reporting systems of anti-social activities and the awareness of employees about their existence, thereby enhancing the protection of whistleblowers and public interest. Additional goals include increasing awareness of the obligations of employers under Act No. 54/2019 Coll. on the protection of whistleblowers of anti-social activities, as well as increasing awareness of the ways citizens can report law violations at work and protect whistleblowers.

Relevance of the commitment to the principles/values of OGP: By introducing adaptation training, civil society can more effectively participate in the control and protection of public interest, thus increasing citizen participation. This commitment also reinforces the principles of transparency and accountability.

Additional information: The protection of whistleblowers is a part of Slovakia's commitments in the Summit for Democracy, under the theme "Fight Against Corruption." The competencies, as well as the performance of the OPW and activities focused on educating public administration employees, can serve as a good example of best practices to be shared.

Milestones of the commitment with specific tasks:

1. Provide an annual report to the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers on the number and subject of whistleblower reports received, the number and subject of verified whistleblower reports and the result of the verification for the previous calendar year. Responsible agencies: Ministries and other central bodies of state administration. Deadline: by March 1, 2025, March 1, 2026.

2. Provide an annual report to the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers on the number and subject of whistleblower reports received, the number and subject of verified whistleblower reports and the result of the verification for the previous calendar year. Responsible agency: General Prosecutor's Office. Deadline: by April 1, 2025, April 1, 2026.

3. Ensure the participation of responsible persons in trainings or work meetings organized by the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers, if they are to be organized. Responsible agencies: Ministries and other central bodies of state administration. Deadline: by June 30, 2025, by June 30, 2026.

4. Conduct annual employee training by a responsible person in the area of reporting antisocial activity. Responsible agencies: Ministries and other central bodies of state administration. Deadline: by June 30, 2025, by June 30, 2026.

5. Include training on reporting anti-social activities and protecting whistleblowers for employees to onboarding adaptation training. Responsible agencies: Ministries and other central bodies of state administration. Deadline: by June 30, 2025.

6. Implement qualitative criteria developed by the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers into internal reporting systems. Responsible agencies: Ministries. Deadline: by June 30, 2026.

7. Cooperate with the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers on assessing the quality of internal reporting systems. Responsible agencies: Ministries. Deadline: by June 30, 2026.

8. Regularly inform the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers about personal changes of the responsible persons, including the new responsible person's name, surname, job title, and contact information (phone and email address). Responsible agencies: Ministries and other central bodies of state administration. Deadline: ongoing.


Commitments

Open Government Partnership