Whistleblowing in Italy: A Growing Digital Approach

With the introduction of the Italian Whistleblowing Law in March 2023 for organizations with over 50 employees, the percentage of companies in Italy with a reporting system has increased to 92%, compared to 76% last year. This is according to the second edition of the European Whistleblowing Survey 2024 by EQS Group, involving over 700 compliance officers across Europe.

The compliance with laws (especially Legislative Decree 24/2023) has been the key factor driving the implementation of whistleblowing systems. 93% of respondents cited this as a crucial reason. Furthermore, 47% have been using such systems for at least three years, indicating earlier adoption before the EU Directive was incorporated into national law by December 2021.

Nearly 91% of Italian companies allow anonymous reporting, although it is not legally required. The availability of anonymous channels has not led to an increase in false reports aimed at harming employees or the company.

About one-third (34%) of Italian companies have received at least one report through their systems, with large companies receiving the most. Reports mainly involved HR management issues (21%), fraud and corruption (14%), data protection problems (8%), and social norms and human rights violations (7%).

Moreover, 90% of companies enable external stakeholders like customers, suppliers, and partners to access their reporting channels, which is vital for complying with supply chain regulations like the EU Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).