Find out more about Whistleblowing@DNB and how it works
In DNB we encourage employees and hired personnel to ask questions and report any reprehensible and unlawful actions in the workplace or related concerns. Due to legal requirements, DNB has extended the whistleblowing function to include anonymous online reporting.
This reporting is safeguarded through a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by NAVEX, enabling management and employees to address issues such as fraud, abuse and other misconduct in the workplace while cultivating a positive working environment.
Why do we need Whistleblowing@DNB?
In DNB all employees and hired personnel are obliged to do their utmost to maintain high ethical standards and to avoid any actions which could harm the Group’s corporate reputation.
To fulfil this obligation, DNB has facilitated channels of communication to make it possible to ask questions and report any deviant behaviour
Establishing open channels of communication will help promote a positive working environment and maximise productivity. An effective reporting system will also contribute to fostering a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
May I submit a report or seek advice either online or by phone?
Yes. By using Whistleblowing@DNB, your question or concern is filed confidentially online. In addition, you may contact group EVP, DNB Group Audit, or BDO Forensic Services for advice by phone.
Contact details:
Tor Steenfeldt-Foss, group EVP, DNB Group Audit
Phone: (+47) 976 09 767
Marius Fein, Senior Manager Advisory BDO
Phone: (+47) 915 15 841/970 86 000
What type of situations should I report?
The Whistleblowing@DNB system is designed to enable employees to report any breaches of laws, regulations and DNB’s governing documents (policies, guidelines, procedures etc.).
If I become aware of something reprehensible, shouldn't I just report it to my immediate superior, Security or Human Resources and let them deal with it?
When you observe behaviour that you believe violates our code of conduct, we expect you to report it. Ideally, you should raise any concerns with your immediate superior, or another member of the management team in your unit. We recognise, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable with reporting the issue in this manner. Under such circumstances, you have the possibility to report through Whistleblowing@DNB, either anonymously or under your full name. We would rather that you report anonymously than keep the information to yourself.
Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?
We all have the right to work in a positive environment, which entails a responsibility to act in an ethical manner and let the relevant people know if someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment. Corporate misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire company.
Does management really want me to report?
We certainly do. In fact, we need you to report. You know what is going on in our company – both good and bad. You may possess knowledge about an activity that may be a cause for concern. Your reporting can minimise the potential negative impact on the company and our people.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are stored on the Whistleblowing@DNB secure server to prevent possible security breaches. Whistleblowing@DNB makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the company who are responsible for evaluating the reports, based on the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has received training in treating the reports with utmost confidentiality.
Isn’t this system just an example of someone watching over me?
The Whistleblowing@DNB system aims to be a positive aspect in our overall philosophy, and allows us to ensure a safe, secure and ethical workplace. You are encouraged to seek guidance on ethical dilemmas, provide positive suggestions, or communicate a concern. Effective communication is critical in today’s workplace and this is a great tool to improve that communication.
We have carefully chosen the best reporting tool to meet our compliance obligations while maintaining a positive reporting environment.
It is my understanding that any report I send from a company computer generates a server log that shows every website that my PC connects with. Won’t this log identify me as a report originator?
Whistleblowing@DNB is hosted by EthicsPoint and does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to Whistleblowing@DNB is available. In fact, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
If you feel uncomfortable writing a report on your work PC, you have the option of using a PC outside work (such as one located at an Internet café, at a friend’s house, etc.) through the Whistleblowing@DNB secure website.
Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?
A report from home, a neighbour’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the Whistleblowing@DNB system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is totally maintained. Plus, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
I am concerned that the information I provide to Whistleblowing@DNB will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that this will not happen?
The EthicsPoint system used to host Whistleblowing@DNB is designed to protect your anonymity. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, you – as a reporting party – need to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident. For example: “From my cube next to Jan Smith…” or “In my 33 years…”.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you so wish.
I am aware of some individuals involved in unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
DNB chooses to promote ethical behaviour. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts DNB as a group and all employees and hired personnel, including you. You only have to consider what has happened in recent corporate scandals to see the disastrous effects that a seemingly harmless lapse in ethics can have on an otherwise healthy company. So if you are aware of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty and that of your colleagues to report it.
I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a violation of company policy, or involves unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?
File a report. The Whistleblowing@DNB system can help you prepare and file your report so that it can be properly understood. We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possible unethical behaviour go unchecked because you weren't sure.
What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation? Won’t they get the report and start a cover-up?
No. The Whistleblowing@DNB and report distribution systems are designed so that implicated parties are not notified or granted access to reports in which they have been named.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I have filed the report? Or what if the company has further questions to me concerning my report?
When you file a report at the Whistleblowing@DNB, you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose a password. You can return to the Whistleblowing@DNB website again and access the original report to add more details or answer questions posed by a company representative and add further information that will help resolve open issues. We strongly suggest that you return to the site in the time specified to answer questions from the company. You and the company have now entered into an “anonymous dialogue,” where situations are not only identified, but can also be resolved, no matter how complex.
Are these follow-ups on reports as secure as the first one?
All Whistleblowing@DNB correspondence is held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity.