Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use the Faurecia Speak Up Line?
Faurecia employees or external stakeholders, irrespective of their position, location, and type of relationship with Faurecia, are offered to use the Faurecia Speak Up Line, to report serious violations of the Faurecia Codes or the Law.
When should I use the Faurecia Speak Up Line?
If you are aware of some behavior you believe violates the Faurecia Codes, it is your responsibility to Speak Up. You can and you should bring any concerns forward to your:
- Direct manager or other member of your management team,
- Human Resources Organization, or
- Compliance Organization.
However, if there are circumstances where you are not comfortable reporting the issue internally, or if there is a more serious situation like a Law violation, you can use this Faurecia Speak Up Line.
What type of situations should I report through the Faurecia Speak Up Line?
The Faurecia Speak Up Line can be used to report serious violations of the Faurecia Codes or the Law, such as:
- Corruption
- Anti-competitive practices
- Accounting irregularities
- Breach of confidentiality
- Conflict of Interest
- Harassment or discrimination in the workplace
- Other serious crimes constituting a threat or serious harm to public interest
I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a serious violation of the Faurecia Codes or Law. What should I do?
File a report anyway. We would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let a possible violation go unchecked because you were not sure.
Should I identify myself?
In most countries, it is your choice to identify yourself or remain anonymous. Your identity will remain confidential even if you decided to share your name. Investigations can be completed more quickly and effectively when a whistleblower identifies himself or herself as it allows Faurecia to follow up directly with the reporter.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
You certainly can. There is a section in the report where you may identify yourself, if you wish.
How does the Faurecia Speak Up Line maintain confidentiality?
By using the Faurecia Speak Up Line, the whistleblower is strongly protected by Legal Confidentiality.
This Confidentiality protects:
- The identity and any identifying details of the Whistleblower even if he/she agreed to disclose himself / herself and,
- The identity and any identifying details of the person(s) alleged to be responsible or accomplice of the violation.
The Legal Confidentiality only protects one person until the Investigation concludes that he/she was responsible for or accomplice of the violation of the Law. However, the Legal Confidentiality cannot be opposed to authority / police investigations.
Because the protection that is given to Whistleblowers is very strong, in some countries anonymous reports are not favored and can be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer or the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (as FAU-C-LSG-2402 Speak Up).
I am concerned that the information I provide to the Faurecia Speak Up Line will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?
The Faurecia Speak Up Line is designed to protect your anonymity if you wish. However, you - as a whistleblower - need to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident. For example, “From my cube next to Jany Smith…” or “In my 33 years…” or “I am the only woman in the tax department”. EthicsPoint as supplier does not modify or delete information of the reports.
If I connect from my Faurecia PC, can this site identify me as a report originator?
NO. The Faurecia Speak Up Line does not generate or maintain Internet connection logs containing or Internet Protocol (IP) addresses; no information linking you or your computer to the website would be available. In fact, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
In addition, you can access to the website from your personal PC, mobile or tablet, any Internet portal will remain secure. The system is designed to protect confidentiality and anonymity to the extent permitted by applicable Law.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them and who will conduct the investigations?
When a Whistleblower submits a report, it enters directly into a secure server separate from Faurecia to prevent any possible breach in security. The Provider (EthicsPoint) transmits the report only to the Faurecia Chief Compliance Officer and the Deputy Chief Compliance Officer who can decide to assign the reports to the correspondent Regional Compliance Officer.
Investigations may be carried out by the Compliance department or other correspondent departments entitle to conduct the investigations. In any case, the Compliance Officer is in charge of the coordination and follow up of the investigation.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the report? Or what if the company has further questions for me concerning my report?
When you file a report at the Faurecia Speak Up Line, you receive a unique report key and will be asked to select a password. With the report key and your password, you can return to the system and access your original report to add more details.
It’s very important that you check your report periodically, because the investigator may have questions or need additional information to investigate the concern.
Are these follow-ups on reports as secure as the first one?
Yes. All correspondences via the Faurecia Speak Up Line are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report.
What should I do if I lose my report key or password?
Due to the high level of confidentiality, if you lose your report key or password you will not be able to enter to your report anymore. Then you will be required to file a new report and mention in the new report that you have previously filed one relating to the same incident.
What if I face retaliation?
Faurecia will not tolerate retaliation in any form against an employee for reporting a concern or suspected violation of the Code or for participating in an investigation. Reporting in good faith with the view to protect Faurecia shall not be retaliated against, whatever forms it may take (being ostracized, discriminated, harassed, disciplined, or dismissed). If you believe you have faced retaliation of any kind, please report it to the Faurecia Speak Up Line so that it can be investigated.