Internal reporting office under the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG)
has been in effect in Germany since July 2, 2023 law for better protection of whistleblowers (HinSchG).
The Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) serves to protect persons who report or disclose information about violations that they have obtained in connection with their professional activity (or their studies) at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (hereinafter THM).
has THM Based on Section 12 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the HinSchG (German Act on the Protection of Information), established an internal reporting office for such information and appointed reporting office officers in accordance with Section 14 of the HinSchG , who process incoming information but also provide advice.
1. Internal reporting office of THM
The internal reporting office of THM accepts information from employees and students regarding incidents that fall within the scope of the Whistleblower Protection Act (§ 2 HinSchG).
These include, among others:
- Violations that are punishable by law,
- Violations of regulations concerning the protection of personal data and the confidentiality of (electronic) communication and information technology security,
- Violations of federal and uniformly applicable regulations for contracting authorities regarding the procedure for awarding public contracts,
- Violations of environmental law regulations,
- Statements by civil servants that constitute a violation of the duty of loyalty to the constitution.
The specific reasons that can be reported to the internal reporting office are exhaustively listed in Section 2 of the Disclosure Act (HinSchG) . "Exhaustively" means that the internal reporting office cannot act for any reasons other than those listed in the Act.
If you have any questions about the reasons or any uncertainties, the reporting office representatives of the internal reporting office are available to advise you.
2. Confidentiality
All information received will be treated confidentially by the internal reporting office. Likewise, the internal reporting office is generally obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the person reporting
- the person who provided the tip,
- the person who is the subject of a report, and
- the other persons mentioned in the report.
to uphold. The presumption of innocence applies to all persons involved until wrongdoing can be proven.
The identity of these persons may only be disclosed to those responsible for receiving reports or taking follow-up measures, as well as to those assisting them in fulfilling these tasks. Section 9 of the Protection of Victims Act (HinSchG) Exceptions are regulated
The protection of the person providing the information is guaranteed if, at the time of the notification, they had sufficient reason to believe that misconduct within the meaning of Section 12 of the Protection of Informed Persons Act (HinSchG) had been committed or was very likely to occur in the future. In this respect, a well-founded suspicion is sufficient.
In any case, deliberately false information is not protected. Such communications can be subject to penalties.
You therefore generally decide for yourself how and to what extent your personal data is disclosed. It is also possible to submit tips anonymously. Please note, however, that your tips may contain information that, even without mentioning your name, could allow conclusions to be drawn about you and thus indirectly lead to the disclosure of your identity.
3. Procedural Instructions
According to § 17 para. 1 HinSchG, as a person providing information, you will receive confirmation of receipt of your report no later than seven days after submission.
If a report falls within the scope of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the reporting office checks the report for plausibility. If the report is deemed valid, the reporting office takes appropriate measures in accordance with Section 18 of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
Unless the report is submitted anonymously, you will receive a notification pursuant to Section 17 Paragraph 2 of the Disclosure Protection Act (HinSchGthe report. This notification will include all planned and already implemented follow-up measures, as well as the reasons for these measures.
Personal data may be processed as part of the registration process. The legal basis for processing this data is Article 6(1)(c) of the EU GDPR in conjunction with Section 10 of the HinSchG (German).
4. Reporting channels of THM
The following reporting channels have been set up for the internal reporting office of THM :
- Reports should be submitted in writing by post,
marked "closed and confidential", to:
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, Internal Reporting Office according to the Whistleblower Protection Act, Wiesenstraße 14, 35390 Giessen - Notification via email
Email to This email address is protected against spambots! JavaScript must be enabled to view it! - Report by telephone (answering machine with voice recording)
Telephone: +49 641 309-7799 - Reports can be submitted
in writing, marked "closed and confidential," to:
Campus Giessen:
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, Internal Reporting Office under the Whistleblower Protection Act, in the THMdeadline mailbox, Wiesenstraße 14, Building A11;
Friedberg Campus
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, Internal Reporting Office under the Whistleblower Protection Act, in the THMdeadline mailbox, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße 13, Building A1;
Wetzlar Campus:
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, Internal Reporting Office under the Whistleblower Protection Act, in the THMmailbox, Charlotte-Bamberg-Straße 3, Building A1
We are happy to receive reports in person. Please arrange a personal meeting in advance by phone or email with your preferred reporting officer( at the internal reporting office.
Individuals intending to report misconduct have the freedom to choose between using an internal and an external reporting channel. However, it is recommended that an internal report be made first if effective action can be taken against the misconduct internally and no reprisals are feared (§ 7 para. 1 sentences 1 and 2 of the Disclosure Act). The reporting individual is protected in any case, regardless of their choice.
The Federal Office of Justice (BfJ) has established a central external reporting office (BfJ - contact (bundesjustizamt.de)). Depending on the nature of the misconduct, the Federal Cartel Office or the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) may also be responsible. Furthermore, external jurisdiction may also exist for bodies of the European Union.
Disclosure of information about misconduct, e.g. via social media or to the press, is § 32 para. 1 HinSchG only permissible under special conditions
Further information on the responsibilities of the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ) and the Act on the Protection of Victims of Violence (HinSchG) can be found at https://www.bundesjustizamt.de/DE/MeldestelledesBundes/MeldestelledesBundes_node.html.