If you are in European Union and running a company. You must be aware of that now you have to be compliant with the new EU whistleblowing directive (whistleblower gesetz).
So let’s first understand what is the directive (in german it's called whistleblower richtlinie), and then I will take you through my analysis of which software could be a good fit for your organisation.
How to Stay Compliant with the EU Whistleblowing Directive
You might have heard about whistleblowers — those brave folks who speak up when something’s not right in their workplace. Maybe you’re wondering how you can be compliant with the new rules set out by the European Union to protect these whistleblowers. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Let’s break it down.
Why Whistleblowers Matter (was ist ein whistleblower)?
First things first, why do whistleblowers matter? Well, think about it this way — if someone sees something wrong happening in their company, like fraud or corruption, and they don’t say anything, it could cause a lot of harm. But if they do speak up, it can help stop the bad stuff and protect the public. So, whistleblowers are like the superheroes of the workplace, keeping things in check.
The New Rules
The European Union came up with some new rules to make sure whistleblowers are protected when they speak up. These rules are called the EU Whistleblowing Directive.
They say that whistleblowers should be able to report wrongdoing without worrying about getting in trouble. Pretty cool, right?
How to Stay Compliant
So, how can you make sure you’re following these new rules? Here are a few tips:
Know Your Rights: First things first, it’s important to know your rights as a whistleblower. The EU Whistleblowing Directive says that you have the right to report any breaches of EU law that you see in your workplace, either to someone within your company or to an outside authority.
Use the Right Channels: If you do decide to report something, make sure you use the right channels.
Your company should have procedures in place for reporting wrongdoing, so follow those if you can. If not, you can report to an outside authority, like a government agency.
Keep it Confidential: When you report something, it’s significant to keep it confidential. That means not telling anyone else about it unless you have to. This is not just good manners, it’s also the law under the new directive.
No Retaliation: Perhaps most importantly, the EU Whistleblowing Directive says that whistleblowers should be protected from retaliation. That means your employer can’t punish you for speaking up. If they do, they could get in big trouble.
Stay Informed: Finally, make sure you stay informed about the new rules. The EU Whistleblowing Directive is still pretty new, so there might be updates or changes down the line. Keep an eye out for any news or information about it.
Now let's move to the list of whistleblowing softwares I have tried myself for different organisations I worked for in germany (whistleblower gesetz bundestag):
Whistleblower software is becoming increasingly essential for businesses of all sizes to ensure compliance (ufo whistleblower) and foster a safe work environment.
With the rise in awareness about corporate wrongdoing and the importance of transparency, having the right whistleblowing system in place is crucial.
Here, we’ll compare some popular whistleblowing software options, their prices, and their features to help you make an informed decision.
1. PeopleSpots (starting at €9/month)
(https://www.peoplespots.com/)
PeopleSpots offers a budget-friendly whistleblowing solution priced at $9 per month. Although it’s competitively priced, it’s essential to evaluate its features and capabilities to ensure it meets your organisation’s needs for reporting and managing whistleblowing cases effectively.
Pricing:
- €9 per month for 0–49 employees
- Increases with the number of employees
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for smaller organisations
- Offers a range of features for reporting and managing whistleblowing cases
Cons:
- New features comming everymonth
- Limited information available on advanced features
2. Whistleblower Software (€70 per month)
(https://whistleblowersoftware.com/en)
WhistleblowerSoftware.com offers a user-friendly platform for organisations of all sizes to report and manage whistleblowing cases.
With tiered pricing based on the number of employees, it provides an affordable solution for businesses looking to enhance transparency and compliance.
Pricing:
- €70 per month for 0–49 employees
- Increases with the number of employees
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for smaller organisations
- Offers a range of features for reporting and managing whistleblowing cases
Cons:
- Pricing may become expensive for larger companies
- Limited information available on advanced features
3. SpeakUp (Starting from €3,000/year)
(https://www.speakup.com/pricing)
SpeakUp provides whistleblowing solutions designed for mid-market to high-growth businesses.
With different pricing tiers, it offers essential, premium, and enterprise plans to cater to varying organizational needs. Its features include structured intake questions, case management, and advanced analytics.
Pricing:
- Essential: Starting from €3,000/year
- Premium: Starting from €6,000/year
- Enterprise: Starting from €15,000/year
Pros:
- Offers different tiers to cater to various business sizes
- Provides advanced features such as structured intake questions and analytics dashboard
Cons:
- Higher starting price compared to some competitors
- More advanced features may not be necessary for smaller businesses
4. AllVoices ($4000/month)
AllVoices offers comprehensive whistleblowing solutions with customizable plans tailored to meet specific business goals.
Its standard, professional, and enterprise plans include features such as ethics and compliance reporting modules, anonymous submissions, and enhanced data analytics.
Pricing:
- Standard: Custom pricing available upon consultation
- Professional: Custom pricing available upon consultation
- Enterprise: Custom pricing available upon consultation
Pros:
- Offers a range of plans catering to different business needs
- Comprehensive features including ethics and compliance reporting module
Cons:
- Lack of transparency in pricing
- Custom pricing may not be suitable for smaller businesses with limited budgets
5. Vispato (€99/month)
Vispato offers a straightforward whistleblowing solution with transparent pricing and all-inclusive features.
With a fixed monthly fee, it provides unlimited access to its platform for organizations of any size, making it an accessible option for businesses seeking simplicity and affordability.
Pricing:
- €99/month
Pros:
- Transparent pricing with all features included
- Suitable for organizations of any size
Cons:
- Limited information available on specific features and capabilities
6. Trusty ( €49/month)
Trusty offers flexible whistleblowing plans, including a free option for small businesses and a paid upgrade for additional features.
Its Trusty+ plan includes advanced functionalities such as interactive dashboards, customizable reporting forms, and compliance with whistleblowing policies.
Pricing:
- Trusty Free: €0/month
- Trusty+: €49/month
Pros:
- Offers a free plan for small businesses
- Affordable pricing for upgraded features
Cons:
- Limited information available on enterprise-level features
7. FaceUp ($119/month)
FaceUp provides whistleblowing solutions with tiered pricing options suitable for organizations at different stages of growth.
Its basic, standard, and premium plans offer features such as written and voice reporting, case management, and multi-language support to meet diverse business needs.
Pricing:
- Basic: $49/month
- Standard: $79/month
- Premium: $119/month
Pros:
- Offers tiered pricing to cater to different business needs
- Includes features such as multi-language support and customizable reporting forms
Cons:
- Pricing may be higher compared to some competitors
- Limited information available on specific features in each plan
8. Whispli (£2999/month)
Whispli offers customizable whistleblowing solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of each organisation.
With flexible pricing and features designed for both small and large businesses, it provides a comprehensive platform for reporting, managing, and resolving whistleblowing cases effectively.
Pricing: Custom pricing available upon consultation
Pros:
- Tailored pricing and features to meet specific business requirements
- Offers plans suitable for both small and large organisations
Cons:
- Lack of transparent pricing may be a drawback for some businesses
- Limited information available without consultation
9. Kenjo Whistleblowing
Kenjo provides flexible pricing options for its HR software, including whistleblowing features.
With yearly and monthly plans available, organizations can choose the package that best suits their requirements and budget.
The Starter plan starts at 5.4 € per employee per month and includes essential HR tasks digitalization.
The Growth plan, priced at 9.0 € per employee per month, offers additional features such as e-signature, custom workflows, and 360° performance reviews.
For organisations requiring advanced reporting, customizations, and integrations, the Connect plan is available, with pricing on request. It includes features like bulk operations, APIs, and external headhunter portal, making it suitable for businesses looking to streamline HR processes and stay employee-centric.
When choosing a whistleblowing software, it’s essential to consider factors such as pricing, features, scalability, and support.
Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons, so be sure to evaluate them based on your organisation’s needs and budget constraints.
Which one you choose for your organisation. let me know in the comments below.