I need help
Are you a private citizen, an association, or a business and are you experiencing problems with a public administration?
Lodge a complaint
Do you work for a public administration and have you come across an incident of abuse of authority, fraud, or an irregularity that is contrary to the common interest?
Make a disclosure
Complete our questionnaire to find out whether Ombuds Brussels will be able to help you.
How to apply for protection?
We are bound by professional secrecy and respect your privacy. For further information, consult our privacy policy via this link.
Protection against retaliation
If you reported a case of abuse or fraud or if you acted as a witness in the context of any such cases and are faced with retaliation, Ombuds Brussels can protect you.
Retaliation: clarification
Retaliation are sanctions that are taken against you in response to your disclosure or testimony. To illustrate:
- Dismissal
- Transfer
- Change of roster
- Negative performance review
- Disciplinary measures
- Reprimand
- Bullying
- …
Protection: clarification
The whistleblower protection forbids your employer to take an unfavourable measure against you because you reported a violation or were involved in an investigation.
How does this protection work?
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1
We examine whether your employer took or threatened to take unfavourable measures against you, and whether these measures can be traced back to your report or your involvement in a related investigation.
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2
If that proves to be the case, we will ask your employer to objectively justify the sanctions in question by demonstrating that they are based on elements unrelated to the investigation.
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3
If your employer is unable to provide conclusive proof, we advise him to put a stop to the reprisals or to pay you compensation.
Mind you: these are merely recommendations and not an instruction. You are also free to apply for protection to the courts.
To apply for protection against retaliation, complete our form by clicking the button below.