A Warsaw Road Authority (ZDM) employee has been dismissed after reporting potential financial mismanagement, claiming he faced retaliation despite being granted formal whistleblower protection. The employee, identified as Mr. Piotr, alleges his correspondence with Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski was improperly shared with the agency he accused of potential wrongdoing.
Why did the employee report the ZDM?
The dispute began in the spring of 2025 when several ZDM employees questioned orders regarding the insurance of vehicles seized through non-final judgments. According to reports, these employees believed the practice could lead to the mismanagement of public funds.
When the employees did not receive these orders in writing, one staff member initiated the procedure provided by the whistleblower protection act. This individual, Mr. Piotr, sought to address what he perceived as potential fiscal irregularities within the agency.
What retaliation is alleged by the whistleblower?
Following his report, Mr. Piotr claims he was subjected to several retaliatory actions. According to his account, these included restricted access to previously used software, a lower employee performance rating, and a reduction in his incentive bonus.
The employee’s dismissal occurred in January 2026. The ZDM director justified the termination by citing a loss of trust in the employee and accusing him of harming the employer’s image by directing complaints to city authorities.
How was the whistleblower’s protection allegedly compromised?
In the autumn of 2025, Mr. Piotr requested intervention from Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. Although he was granted formal whistleblower status in October, reports indicate his correspondence with the Mayor’s office was subsequently passed to the ZDM.
Jakub Dybalski of the ZDM confirmed that the information regarding the employee’s letters originated from the City Hall. This transfer of information has become a central point of contention in the dispute over whether the employee’s legal protections were upheld.
What is the legal and expert perspective on the case?
Prof. Grzegorz Makowski, a whistleblower protection specialist from the Warsaw School of Economics, stated that the initial report to the Mayor’s secretariat could have been classified as a whistleblower report. He argued it should have been handled by the appropriate department while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Prof. Makowski further noted that because external reports are intended to be confidential, the city administration should not have forwarded correspondence to the specific unit facing the allegations. The Warsaw City Hall responded that ZDM maintains competence over its own employment matters.
The matter is currently moving toward a legal resolution. Mr. Piotr has appealed his dismissal, and the labor court is expected to decide whether the actions taken against him constituted unlawful retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original cause of the whistleblower report?
In the spring of 2025, employees questioned instructions to insure vehicles seized via non-final judgments, citing concerns over the potential mismanagement of public money.
What reasons did the ZDM provide for the employee’s dismissal?
The ZDM director cited a loss of trust in the employee and accused him of harming the agency’s image by sending complaints to city officials.
What is the current status of the case?
The employee has appealed his termination, and the case is currently being processed by the labor court to determine if retaliation occurred.
The labor court’s decision may impact how municipal whistleblowers are protected in the future.
