About Ethics Line
What is Ethics Line?
The Ethics Line is the preferred communication channel of the Internal Reporting System of the Inditex Group.
The Ethics Line is managed by the Ethics Committee using EthicsPoint, a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by NAVEX.
Who manages and supervises the Ethics Line?
The Ethics Line is managed and supervised by The Ethics Committee, made up of the General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors, the Chief Compliance Officer, the Chief Internal Audit Officer, the Chief Sustainability Officer, the Chief People Officer and the Head of management of the Internal Reporting System. Its mission is to ensure that the entire staff is compliant with the Code of Conduct and familiar with its contents.
The Ethics Committee can act at its own initiative or at the behest of any employee, director, shareholder, manufacturer or supplier of Inditex or any third party looking to report a potential breach or noncompliance they have been aware of.
What are the guarantees of the Ethics Line?
The Ethics Committee must act independently and autonomously at all times. In carrying out its duties in the Ethics Line, it guarantees:
- The confidential handling of all data and proceedings.
- The exhaustive and objective analysis of all data.
- Respect at all times for the right of anyone affected to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
- Protection from retaliation against any reporter or other person involved.
Reporting – General
What type of situations should I report?
The Ethics Line is made available by the Inditex Group to:
- Raise questions or submit enquiries about the Group’s Codes of Conduct and other internal rules of conduct.
- Report breaches of the Group’s Codes of Conduct and other internal rules of conduct.
Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?
We all have the right to work in a positive environment and with that right comes the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and letting the appropriate people know if someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on the EthicsPoint secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. EthicsPoint makes these reports available only to the Ethics Committee through the Ethics Line. Each report received will be kept in the utmost confidence.
Tips & Best Practices
I am aware of some individuals involved with unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
Our company chooses to promote ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees and stakeholders, including you.
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 to the Ethics Line you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose a password. You can return to the Ethics Line and access the original report to add more detail or answer questions posed by the Ethics Committee 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 company questions.
Can I report matters or suggestions relating to Human Resources?
The Ethics Line is not a channel to report matters relating to Human Resources unless there has been a serious breach of our Codes of Conduct or a violation of human rights. Therefore, for this kind of matters, we encourage you to contact first your line manager or Human Resources manager.
Can I report customer service complaints through the Ethics Line?
The Ethics Line is not a channel for customer service complaints or suggestions. Should you need to make a customer service complaint or inquiry please refer to our specific customer services channels available on the websites of each one of Inditex brands.