Whistleblowing

What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing can help to safeguard and promote important values ​​in a democratic society, such as ensuring openness and transparency within the authority. In this way, malpractices can quickly become noticed and remedied before the underlying causes grow.

The EU Whistleblower Directive and the Whistleblower Act mean that Swedish authorities with more than 50 employees must set up a special reporting channel before 30 June 2022. The Swedish Whistleblowing Act goes a little further than the EU directive and provides protection for those who sound the alarm about misconduct that arises in a work-related context (Act 2021: 890) and is in the public’s interest. A safe channel for those who report can increase the possibility of acting whistleblowers and thus contribute to detecting corruption and other irregularities.

Konstfack has therefore chosen to implement the whistleblower function with the support of an external service. The purpose is to provide a channel for reporting where the anonymity of the informant can be ensured.

Who can submit a report?

Traditionally, the term has been used about employees who have provided information about serious misconduct in their workplace through the media (or as a member of an organization, etc.).

The reporting person can be an employee, former employee, jobseeker, trainee, external member of a governing body, consultant, contractor or someone else who is available or performing a job at Konstfack.

If an employee has become aware of, or suspects that someone active in Konstfack's organization does not act in accordance with current legislation, this must always be noted. In the first instance, irregularities must be reported to the manager.

What can be reported?

- An irregularity that is in breach of the law
- An irregularity the disclosure of which is in the public interest

If the report does not fall within the framework of the above, the case must be reported in accordance with Konstfack’s internal guidelines, policies or procedures.

If you are unsure about whether or not to report an irregularity, we recommend that you report it. If your report cannot be handled within the whistleblowing system, you will be informed of this and given advice about where to turn instead.

How can a report be made?

Option 1: Report to a manager within Konstfack’s organisation or to the corporate group’s management

Option 2: Report anonymously through the reporting tool for whistleblowing in accordance with the instructions below

Reporting via internal whistleblowing channels

Reporting can take place in writing via the website wb.2secure.se or verbally by phone at +46 (0)771-77 99 77. You can choose to remain anonymous in both of these reporting channels. If you would like to report via an in-person meeting, this can be requested by registering a report on the website wb.2secure.se. The in-person meeting will be held by agreement either with a representative from Konstfack or with Konstfack’s provider of whistleblowing services, 2Secure.

When registering a new report on wb.2secure.se, you must state the company-specific code kon357 to identify that the report is being made for Konstfack. On the website, you will be asked to answer a number of questions about the matter to which the report relates. You can remain anonymous and are assigned a unique case number and password, which must be saved so that you can actively log in to the website, monitor the report and communicate with the case officer at 2Secure.

Once a report has been registered, it is processed by experienced case officers at 2Secure, who will contact Konstfack’s primary contact person based on a predetermined contact list with several names. If the primary contact person is the subject of the report, another person on the contact list will be informed. It is always Konstfack who ultimately assesses the report and decides what measures are to be taken.

Public access to official documents and secrecy in the whistleblowing function

When a report or complaint is received Konstfack, it is registered and given a reference number. As Konstfack is a public authority, your message may become an official document. This means that anyone has the right to request access to it.

However, a whistleblowing message may be classified as confidential. Konstfack therefore always carries out a confidentiality assessment that may result in a decision not to disclose information that is covered by secrecy regulations. A decision not to disclose official documents can be appealed to a court of law.

About statutory informant protection

In addition to the ability to report suspected irregularities in accordance with whistleblowing legislation, there is also a right to freedom of disclosure and acquisition in accordance with the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act and the Swedish Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. This means that it is possible for an employee (with certain exceptions) in both private and public sectors to submit with impunity otherwise confidential information for publication to mass media covered by the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act and the Swedish Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression.

There is also extended protection for employees in public sector organisations or other operations where informant protection applies

in accordance with the Swedish Informant Protection in Certain Sectors of Economic Activity Act (SFS 2017:151) or the Swedish Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (SFS 2009:400). This extended protection relates to a prohibition against investigation and a prohibition against retaliation.

The prohibition against investigation means that a government agency or other public body may not, as a general rule, investigate who has submitted a notification for publication.

The prohibition against retaliation means that the general public may not take measures that have negative consequences for an individual because he or she has exercised his or her freedom of expression and disclosure.

The reporting tool and the external business partner

To ensure your anonymity, we provide a reporting tool from an external and independent agent. The reporting channel is encrypted and password-protected. No cookies are stored and all metadata is erased from uploaded files in order to protect your identity. You never have to reveal your identity if you do not wish to. If you wish to take extra precautions, we recommend that you submit your report from a computer that is not connected to Konstfack’s IT environment, such as a private computer, smartphone or tablet.

- You do not need evidence for your suspicions, but no accusations may be made with malicious intent or with the knowledge that the accusation is false.

- It is important that you describe all the facts in the report, including any circumstances that are believed to be less important. Statements should be carefully considered and all documentation that may be relevant should be attached.

The independence of the solution is increased by involving an external agent to handle the reports. We are therefore collaborating with 2Secure, which provides the actual whistleblowing system, but also receives and handles all incoming cases on behalf of Konstfack’s whistleblowing committee.

2Secure is a security company with extensive experience in these types of matters. They have an established capacity and considerable experience in conducting advanced investigations. 2Secure is used to handling and assessing sensitive matters. As an external and thereby an independent agent, they review incoming cases and conduct investigations into cases on behalf of Konstfack.