Fafo survey on freedom of expression and whistleblowing

Those who participate in the survey will be entered into a draw for gift cards worth NOK 2000.

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Among other things, it will be asked how easy or difficult it is to express critical opinions and about experiences with whistleblowing cases in the workplace.

There are 11 trade unions, including Forskerforbundet, that finance this survey. We have provided contact information to Fafo. All answers will, of course, be treated confidentially.

Among the topics in the survey are what opportunities exist to express oneself on professional and financial matters in the workplace. And what happens to employees who blow the whistle? Are they taken seriously, are cases resolved, or are whistleblowers subjected to sanctions? We also want to investigate the experiences of managers, elected representatives, and safety delegates in receiving notifications, and how these notifications are handled thereafter.

In parallel, a survey on freedom of expression and whistleblowing among Norwegian employees is being conducted, financed by Fritt Ord. This will enable the unions to compare the situation among their members with findings from this broad survey.

Why are such surveys important?

Employees' conditions for expression are perhaps more relevant than ever. We have behind us a decade of political polarization, cancellation culture, growth in the use of social media, and the spread of fake news. How does this affect employees? Does it, for example, create fear of expressing oneself about negative conditions in the workplace?

Whistleblower provisions have also been regularly discussed and criticized during these years. Have the legal changes contributed to making it safer and more effective to blow the whistle, and has employers' follow-up of whistleblowing about reprehensible conditions changed?

You can find more information about the survey at Fafo.