Huis voor Klokkenluiders

Description

Huis voor Klokkenluiders, the Dutch Whistleblowers Authority, is the Netherlands’ national body for whistleblower protection and advice.

It gives confidential, independent and free advice and support to people who suspect wrongdoing in a work-related context, including employees, self-employed people, volunteers and trainees. It also investigates wrongdoings inside organizations and reprisals against people who report them. For employers, it develops research, practical tools and know-how to help organizations build a good internal reporting procedure and a better integrity culture.

The Authority is a zelfstandig bestuursorgaan, an independent administrative body. It answers to the Dutch minister of the Interior only on its financial management; the minister cannot set its policy, overturn its decisions or ask about cases it is handling. It was established under the 2016 Whistleblowers Authority Act, which was replaced by the Whistleblower Protection Act in force since 18 February 2023. That act requires organizations in the Netherlands with more than fifty employees to set up an internal reporting procedure and bans retaliation against reporting persons.

The Authority works across the Netherlands and takes part in the Network of European Integrity and Whistleblowing Authorities, cooperating with equivalent bodies in other EU member states to share know-how and improve protection for reporting persons.