Whistleblowing as a Symptom of the Duty of Loyalty to an Employer?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is primarily an attempt to establish whether whistleblowing can be considered as a symptom of the duty of loyalty towards an employer. The author seeks to set out the boundaries of loyalty between employer and employee and also presents the concept of whistleblowing and scope of protection which whistleblowers could count in Poland. Moreover, the author indicates the direction in which the Polish regulations of the protection of whistleblowers should take. Even though in the Polish law there are certain regulations on reporting misconduct in the workplace, they are contained in various legal acts and are typically incoherent and incomplete. Moreover, as confirmed by the judicial practice, these regulations do not guarantee effective protection of whistleblowers. It is assumed that an employee-whistleblower should act in good faith and should disclose wrongdoings at work for the sake of a social or public interest. The role of an employee should be limited to conveying the disturbing information to relevant people in the employee’s organization, and if there is no reaction – to competent external authorities or institutions.