Since autumn 2018, it has been possible to report wrongdoings at Uppsala University via a form in the Staff Portal (see link below).

The function was introduced at Uppsala University as an important part of counteracting the risk of “waning trust from the outside world in the University’s efforts to prevent and deal with research misconduct, corruption, conflicts of interest, secondary employment that damages the University’s credibility, and other irregularities”. So far, two reports of wrongdoing have been made via the Staff Portal.

The reporting function and procedures for dealing with reports have now been reviewed. The Internal Audit report “E-rutin för anmälan av missförhållanden” (Online procedure for reporting wrongdoing) states that, among other things, there is a lack of policy documents, procedures and mandates, and of coordination and an overall picture of the information about wrongdoings that is submitted in various ways. Moreover, the whistleblowing function needs to be communicated to staff more clearly. The internal audit also notes that it is important for a whistleblower process to be independent and objective. For this reason, the review proposes that the University investigate how to handle reports and whether this should be done by staff employed by the University or an external party.

While Internal Audit was reviewing the process for handling whistleblowing cases at Uppsala University, the Swedish government was working on new legislation for whistleblowers in both the public and private sectors. The internal audit is partly based on the proposed new stricter legislation.

New legislation in the pipeline

In mid-April, the Swedish government presented a proposal for a new act on reporting wrongdoing to replace current legislation. In connection with the proposal, which has been referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Minister for Employment, Eva Nordmark, stated that: “We should not have silent workplaces where problems are swept under the carpet.”

The draft legislation will clarify how to report incidents of wrongdoing, both internally and externally. It is also proposed that the protection of whistleblowers be broadened from staff to also include job seekers, trainees, volunteers and members of management bodies. The government plans to bring the draft legislation forward as a bill to be voted on in the Riksdag, with the legislation proposed to enter into force on 17 December 2021.

Next steps

Based on the internal audit, the Vice-Chancellor has delegated a review of the whistleblowing function and procedures for dealing with reports to the University Director, taking account of both the present situation and when the new planned legislation is passed.