Since 2017, Sweden has had a whistleblowing law that provides special protection against retaliation for employees who raise the alarm about serious wrongdoing.
The Swedish Data Protection Authority’s regulations make it possible for companies, organizations, and public authorities to process data in whistleblowing systems without having to apply for special permission from the Swedish Data Protection Authority.
The basic requirements are that reporting may only cover serious wrongdoing committed by people in key positions or in senior roles within the company.
Examples of what counts as serious wrongdoing include:
Economic crime such as bribery, corruption, theft, fraud and forgery, accounting offences, and other violations of accounting and tax legislation.
Other serious wrongdoing that concerns vital interests or individuals’ life and health, such as serious environmental crimes, major shortcomings in workplace safety, and very serious forms of discrimination and harassment.
