Whistleblower protection and operation of an internal whistleblowing system

pursuant to Act No. 171/2023 Coll., on the protection of whistleblowers, as amended.

This information serves to fulfil the obligation of informing all eligible whistleblowers in accordance with the aforementioned Whistleblower Protection Act.

The objective is to provide legal protection to individuals who report breaches of public interest that they become aware of during their employment or in connection with it. The whistleblowers must identify themselves, but the designated person is obligated to protect their identity and must not disclose it without their consent.

Whistleblower

Any natural person who reports or discloses information about a violation of legal regulations that they have obtained in connection with their work-related activities or other similar tasks

Report

A report refers to an oral or written notification by a natural person containing information about possible unlawful conduct that has occurred or is expected to occur at an entity with which the whistleblower has worked, either directly or indirectly, or with which they have had work-related contact. The report must concern conduct that:

a) constitutes a criminal offence;

b) constitutes an offence for which the law prescribes a fine with an upper limit of at least CZK 100,000;

c) violates the Whistleblower Protection Act; or

d) violates another legal regulation or a regulation of the European Union in the areas defined in Section 2(1)(a) of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Obligated entity

The obligated entity is ORGREZ, a.s., which is required to establish an internal whistleblowing system and appoint a designated person.

Report submission

A report can be submitted through ORGREZ, a.s.’s internal whistleblowing system, the external whistleblowing system via the Ministry of Justice, through public disclosure, or directly to the relevant public authorities.

Internal whistleblowing system

The whistleblower submits their report exclusively to the designated person through the internal whistleblowing system and is authorised to submit it either in writing or orally.

The person appointed to manage the internal whistleblowing system at ORGREZ, a.s. is Martina Životská (hereafter referred to as the “designated person”).

How to submit a report through the internal whistleblowing system

  • A written report can be submitted to the following address: ORGREZ, a.s. Hudcova 321/76, 612 00 Brno-Medlánky with the envelope marked “OZNÁMENÍ – NEOTVÍRAT, výhradně k rukám příslušné osoby” (REPORT – DO NOT OPEN, for the designated person only).
  • By e-mail:  vos@orgrez.cz.
  • By phone: +420 702 158 987, available on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
  • Personal meeting based on prior telephone arrangement: at the headquarters of ORGREZ, a.s., located at: Hudcova 321/76, 612 00 Brno-Medlánky, or elsewhere by agreement.

The obligated entity does not exclude accepting reports from individuals who do not perform work or other similar activities for the obligated entity, in accordance with S. 2(3)(a), (b), (h), or (i).

External whistleblowing system

All whistleblowers may contact the Ministry of Justice, Vyšehradská 16, 128 10 Prague 2, to submit a report via the external whistleblowing system. Information for whistleblowers under the Whistleblower Protection Act can be found at oznamovatel.justice.cz.

Guidance on knowingly false reports

The whistleblower is expected to act in the public interest and in good faith, believing that their report is based on credible facts and information.

A natural person who knowingly submits a false report is not entitled to protection against retaliatory actions. Submitting a knowingly false report constitutes an offence and may result in a fine of up to CZK 50,000.