Reporting according to the Whistleblower Protection Act

Reporting under the Whistleblower Protection Act

In accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law, UCT Prague operates an internal reporting system (IRS) under Act No. 171/2023 Coll., on the Protection of Whistleblowers , and Rector’s Directive A/S/961/6/2025 Internal Reporting System (insert link).

If you learn about possible unlawful conduct in connection with your work for UCT Prague, you can report it safely. Your report will be assessed by the competent person, who is bound by confidentiality. Your identity will not be disclosed to anyone without your written consent. The law protects you against retaliation.

We encourage you to use the internal reporting system of UCT Prague whenever the matter can be effectively resolved within the university and you do not fear retaliation.

What is the internal reporting system

The IRS is a set of procedures and tools for receiving and handling reports. It protects the identity of the whistleblower and other persons, protects the information contained in the report and ensures secure communication with the whistleblower.

What you can report

You can report possible unlawful conduct that has occurred or is likely to occur at UCT Prague and that

• has the characteristics of a criminal offence,
• has the characteristics of an administrative offence for which the law sets a maximum fine of at least CZK 100,000,
• breaches the Whistleblower Protection Act, or
• breaches another legal regulation or EU regulation in the area of
  • financial services, statutory audit and other assurance services, financial products and financial markets,
  • corporate income tax,
  • prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing,
  • consumer protection,
  • product compliance, including product safety,
  • transport safety, carriage and road traffic,
  • protection of the environment,
  • food and feed safety, and animal protection and animal health,
  • radiation protection and nuclear safety,
  • competition, public auctions and public procurement,
  • protection of internal order and security, life and health,
  • protection of personal data, privacy and security of electronic communications networks and information systems,
  • protection of the financial interests of the European Union, or
  • functioning of the internal market, including the protection of competition and state aid under EU law.

You may also report attempts to conceal such conduct. You should have reasonable grounds to believe that your information is true. The more specific and verifiable the information you provide, the better the report can be investigated.

Who can submit a report

The internal reporting system of UCT Prague is intended for persons who have learned about possible unlawful conduct in connection with work or other similar activity for UCT Prague. These are

• employees in an employment relationship or working under an agreement to perform work (DPP) or an agreement to complete a job (DPČ),
• persons in a service relationship,
• volunteers,
• trainees and interns.

Reports may also be submitted by persons whose relationship with UCT Prague has already ended, and by job applicants who learned about the unlawful conduct during the recruitment process.

UCT Prague does not accept reports from persons who do not perform work or other similar activity for it within the meaning of Section 2(3)(a), (b), (h) or (i) of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Anonymous reports

UCT Prague does not assess anonymous reports. Your report must therefore include your first name, surname and date of birth, or other information from which your identity can be determined. This does not apply if the competent person already knows your identity. Your identity is protected and known only to the competent person.

Competent person

Reports are received and assessed by the competent person appointed by the Rector. The competent person is the only one allowed to access reports, acts impartially and is bound by confidentiality, even after the appointment ends.

• prof. RNDr. Olga Valentová, CSc., competent person, olga.valentova@vscht.cz, tel. +420 220 44 5102
• ThDr. Mgr. Klára Muzikářová, Ph.D., deputy competent person in her absence, muzikark@vscht.cz, tel. +420 220 44 1234

How to submit a report

You can submit a report in writing or orally.

• Whispero web form at https://app.whispero.eu/submit with the unique code 452 444 292. The form is secure and we recommend it as the main channel.
• By e-mail via the secure Whispero system at 452444292@whispero.eu or directly to the competent person.
• By phone on the secure line +420 239 050 505 with the code 452 444 292 or directly to the competent person.
• In person by prior arrangement with the competent person. The meeting will take place no later than 14 days after your request.
• By post to VŠCHT Praha, Technická 1905/5, 160 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic. Please mark the envelope NEOTVÍRAT. Oznámení podle zákona č. 171/2023 Sb., o ochraně oznamovatelů. Pouze k rukám příslušné osoby (Do not open. Report under Act No. 171/2023 Coll. For the competent person only).

An oral report is recorded in writing or, with the whistleblower’s consent, as an audio recording. The whistleblower may comment on the record.

How we handle reports

1. Within 7 days of receipt, the competent person will confirm receipt of your report in writing. When reporting via Whispero, the access code you receive automatically serves as confirmation. Further communication takes place at https://app.whispero.eu/followup.

2. The competent person will assess whether the report is well-founded and inform you of the outcome in writing within 30 days of receipt. In factually or legally complex cases, this period may be extended by 30 days, no more than twice. You will be informed in writing of any extension and the reasons for it before the period expires.

3. If the report does not fall under the Act, the competent person will inform you without undue delay.

4. If the report is well-founded, the competent person will propose to the Rector measures to remedy or prevent the unlawful situation. You will be informed in writing of the measures taken.

5. If the report is not well-founded, the competent person will inform you in writing and advise you of your right to submit a report to a public authority.

6. Reports and related documents are kept for 5 years from receipt. Only the competent person has access to them.

How you are protected

No retaliation may be taken against a whistleblower. Threats of retaliation and attempts at retaliation are also prohibited. The same protection applies to persons who helped you with the report, to your close persons and to your colleagues.

Protection applies to whistleblowers who had reasonable grounds to believe that their report was true. The law does not protect anyone who knowingly provides false information.

Reporting outside UCT Prague

You can also submit a report directly to the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic through its external reporting system at https://oznamovatel.justice.cz/, or to another public authority. Under the conditions laid down by law, the information may also be made public.