Question for written answer E-002034-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ingeborg Gräßle (PPE)

2012 saw the introduction, via communication to the Commission SEC(2012)0679, of the guidelines on whistleblowing applicable to Commission staff which serve as implementing rules of the provisions of Article 22 of the Staff Regulations.

Could the Commission supply the relevant data in answer to the following questions regarding an annual breakdown starting from 2013, and provide anonymised data distinguishing between internal (first or second option) and external whistleblowers, as per the reporting procedures defined in the guidelines:

• 1.How many staff members did the Commission identify as staff whose actions comply with the definition of whistleblowers as provided for in the guidelines?
• 2.Could the Commission provide a detailed description of the protection and guarantees offered in terms of confidentiality of identity, mobility, appraisal and promotion, anonymity, and penalties for those taking retaliatory actions against a documented whistleblower?
• 3.How many cases were there in which staff members claimed that their actions complied with the definition of whistleblowers as per the guidelines, but the Commission decided to reject their claim or not to open an OLAF or IDOC investigation before rejecting the initial claim of the staff member?