Whistleblowing platform for councils and public bodies
A whistleblowing platform for councils and public bodies has to do a little more. Public money is at stake. Decisions are set down in the minutes. And the person named in a report may be an elected member, not a member of staff.
Who counts as a worker in a public body
In a company the answer is usually the payroll. In a public body the list is longer, because the directive uses a wide meaning of worker.
Everyone on the payroll, permanent or on a fixed term.
The directive covers elected members and board appointees, even when they are not paid.
Covered whether or not they are paid, including unpaid placements.
People working under a contract with the body, and the staff they bring on site.
Temporary cover for holidays, waste collection, leisure centres and the school term.
Former staff, and job applicants who learned of an issue while applying.
What gets reported to a council or an agency
Most of these reports are about public money, decisions on the record, or duties that only a public employer has.
Some of these cases end up in a committee paper or a public report. Keep the case record full enough to write that summary straight from it.
Twelve report categories come as standard. Rename or remove any of them, and add the ones your own code of conduct sets out.
Where the case files are kept, and who can reach them
Buying teams ask this early, and usually in writing. Every case, message and file is stored in Frankfurt, Germany. The data does not leave the EU.
We sign a data processing agreement on request. That is what tender documents usually ask for.
When a report names an elected member
This is the case a public body should plan for first.
Name a second case handler before the page goes live. In most bodies that is internal audit, the legal adviser to the council, or a member of the audit committee.
Staff may report about elected members, and elected members may report about staff. The two routes cannot share one inbox. Set up both, and record them in the policy.
Case handlers change after an election. You update who has access. The case list and the full history stay intact.
Frequently asked questions
Does a council have to offer a reporting channel?
Yes. The duty comes from your national whistleblowing law, the national law behind the EU Whistleblower Directive (2019/1937). Public bodies are covered. The staff count works differently for them than for companies, and some countries leave out only the smallest towns. Check the local rule.
Do the case files ever leave the EU?
No. They are stored in Frankfurt, Germany, and stay in the EU. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. The list of sub-processors is written down. We sign a processing agreement on request.
Can residents and suppliers use the same channel?
That is your decision. The law covers a wide group of people who work for you. Anyone with the link can send a report. Some bodies publish the link. Others keep it to staff, members and contractors.
What does it cost a public body?
PRO costs €79 a month, net, with the year paid in advance. That includes unlimited reports and five panel users. The first 30 days are free, and the invoice can be settled by bank transfer rather than card.