Information for whistleblowers
What is a whistleblower? In which cases is whistleblowing appropriate?
Pursuant to Section 1 Paragraph 1 clause 4 of the Whistleblowing Law:
- only a natural person can be a whistleblower;
- the whistle may be blown for alleged or existing infringement that could harm the public interest;
- the information about the alleged infringement was obtained while fulfilling the work duties, including voluntary work, providing services, or entering a legal relationship related to your employment.
Which cases are not considered whistleblowing?
Not all cases you intend to report are considered whistleblowing. The report shall not be considered whistleblowing in the following cases:
- anonymous whistleblowing;
- whistleblowing by a legal person;
- reporting only on an infringement of personal interests rather than an infringement affecting society as a whole;
- provision of information not acquired in relation with the whistleblower’s professional activity;
- provision of intentionally false information;
- disclosure of information containing an official secret.
How to draw up a whistleblower’s report?
The easiest way to draw up a report is to fill out a whistleblower’s report form. If you want to use a different type of report, you must specify the following:
- specify that it is a whistleblower’s report;
- indicate the name and surname of the whistleblower;
- indicate the contact details of the whistleblower (e-mail, telephone number, address);
- specify whether the information was obtained whilst fulfilling work duties.
In accordance with the requirements of the Law on Submissions and the Law on Legal Documents, the whistleblower’s report must be handwritten or signed with a secure electronic signature. If the report is initially submitted without a signature (a simple e-mail or a completed electronic report form) and meets the characteristics of whistleblowing, the officer in charge will contact the submitter to make sure that the report is signed.
How to submit a whistleblower’s report?
The whistleblower’s report must be submitted according to the procedure indicated by each institution (available by clicking on the name of the institution). Usually, it is submitted by sending it to an e-mail address dedicated for whistleblower’s reports, by mail, by serving it in person to the responsible member of staff, or by placing it in a dedicated mailbox for whistleblower’s reports on the premises of the institution.
Who is the responsible person (contact person) in charge of matters related to whistleblowing?
Whistleblower’s contact persons:
- Ligija Palma, telephone number: 25417445, trauksme@rnparvaldnieks.lv;
- Raimonds Dzintars, telephone number: 25404995, trauksme@rnparvaldnieks.lv.
What happens after the submission of the report?
Upon receiving the report, the authority, which is competent to handle it, shall examine it within seven days to determine whether it is a whistleblower’s report. Within three days after deciding on the validity of the whistleblower’s report, a reply letter is sent to the applicant. If further information is required for the report, the contact person of the institution or the person in charge of the examination of the report will contact the submitter.
Within two months after the report has been recognised as whistleblower’s report, the submitter shall be informed of the outcome of the examination or, if the examination has not been completed, of its progress, in addition to being informed of the outcome of the examination.
For more information on whistleblowing, visit the whistleblowing website.
