Whistleblowing

All Arbonia employees are entitled and encouraged to report the following events in particular:

1. Criminal conduct;
2. Breaches of the Code of Conduct and the directives of Arbonia;
3. Breaches of applicable domestic and foreign laws;
4. Questionable business practices or dangerous business conduct which could result in significant damage to Arbonia;
5. Incidents that could jeopardize the health or safety of employees or the general public (occupational safety and product safety);
6. Incidents that could have negative effects on Arbonia or its employees.

Every employee is called upon to, as a first choice, follow the usual chain of command for reporting grievances (report to direct superiors, the works council, the HR department etc.)

However, in the event that the employee does not trust the usual point of contact, or if the point of contact fails to take action after the report has been made, internal reporting points are available to the employee. A message can also be easily sent to the Arbonia whistleblowing team using the reporting form (see below). 

Even if the whistleblower is identified in the report, his or her identity will remain anonymous during further investigations.

Prohibition of punishment

Employees that report grievances in good faith and in accordance with this directive will receive the full support of Arbonia and will be protected from punishment. Employees may not be put at a disadvantage, dismissed, threatened, harassed or punished in another manner as a result of a report of grievances filed in good faith and in accordance with this directive. The superiors are responsible for the protection of employees that file reports from negative effects on from their employer or other employees. In the event that employees that file reports fear punishment or in the event that employees that have filed reports have been punished, they may request remedial action from the Head of Legal & Compliance. Punishment of employees that file reports will not be tolerated by Arbonia and those instituting such punishment will be punished with disciplinary action.

Abusive reports will not be acted upon and may result in disciplinary action. 

Detailed information on whistleblowing at Arbonia can be found in the Arbonia Whistleblowing Policy: