Whistleblower Protection Laws Around the World

>Explore this section and become familiar with the regulations related to whistleblowing channels or any other aspects related to fraud or corruption prevention established in each country.

Select the region where you want to know more information on laws or regulations related to reporting channels and related:

Whistleblower Protection in the United States:

Whistleblower protection in the United States is outlined through an intricate web of laws at both the federal and state levels. These meticulously crafted laws aim to safeguard individuals who speak out against irregularities. Below are some of the prominent whistleblower protection laws in the country:

1. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): Emerging in response to the financial scandals that rocked the first decade of the 2000s, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 established a legal stronghold for those who report inappropriate accounting and financial practices at public companies. By providing whistleblowers with defenses against retaliation, this law opens the door to filing complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

2. False Claims Act: This robust legislation serves as a protector for those who disclose fraud committed against the federal government. The law allows whistleblowers to file lawsuits on behalf of the government and receive a portion of the recoveries obtained by the government as a result of the lawsuit.

3. Dodd-Frank Act: In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act came into play, housing whistleblower protection provisions that extend to the realms of financial irregularities and fraud in the financial sector. Its clever design includes a rewards program, incentivizing whistleblowers to share information about securities law violations and fraud.

4. State Whistleblower Laws:Several states in the United States have enacted specific whistleblower protection laws that cover fields as diverse as workplace safety, environmental issues, and public health..

5. SEC Whistleblower Laws: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has developed its own whistleblower reward programs for individuals who disclose information about securities law violations and fraud. These bold programs are orchestrated to encourage and reward whistleblowers collaborating with the SEC to enhance securities law compliance.

It should be noted that whistleblower protection laws in the United States are diverse and can vary depending on jurisdiction and scope.