By Neil Hodge2021-05-10T15:57:00+01:00 A December deadline is fast approaching for all countries in the European Union to pass legislation in order to harmonize whistleblower protection across the single market. Lawyers warn there are still likely to be wide variations in the level of security national laws will offer those brave enough to speak up. The EU Whistleblowing Directive—which must be transposed into national law by Dec. 17—aims to increase the scope and level of minimum protection afforded to individuals who speak up about possible wrongdoing. The directive extends protection to a relatively broad group of people beyond whistleblowers themselves, including several categories of individuals associated with them who may have facilitated the whistleblowing (such as colleagues and relatives).