On 7 June 2023, the President of the Czech Republic signed the Government Bill on Whistleblower Protection, which will enter into force on 1 August 2023.

The law implements the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. The Act introduces new obligations for some entities regarding the protection of people who report certain breaches (whistleblowers).

It will apply, among others, to companies (employers) to ensure that whistleblowers among their employees, cooperating self-employed people, and members of governing bodies are protected. Despite amendments and calls from NGOs, the law will not provide protection for anonymous whistleblowers.

The purpose of the law is to protect people who suspect illegal conduct has taken place in the company and decide to report it. Under the Act, it will be possible to report all crimes and administrative offences for which the maximum penalty is set at least CZK100,000.

Whistleblowers will then be protected from retaliation (eg dismissal), have the right to keep their identity confidential and will have the right to be informed about how their report will be handled.

In general, there will be an obligation to notify the whistleblower within seven days of the report being made and to follow up on the report within 30 days of it being submitted, with the possibility of extending the deadline in exceptional cases. The law also aims to establish an internal reporting...

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