general counsel

The Importance of Speaking Up

Mark Gregory, Rolls-Royce plc General Counsel, explains the importance of Speaking Up so everyone can be at their best

"Rolls-Royce is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where each of us can ask questions and raise concerns without fear of retaliation. We treat any suggestion of retaliation against individuals who speak up extremely seriously. Such retaliation could lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

We want you to Speak Up. If you're ever concerned about someone or something not living up to our Values and Behaviours, please never hesitate to seek guidance on these matters. It is better to ask a question or raise a concern at an early stage than to let the situation get worse.  By speaking up we're ensuring everyone can be at their best."

Listening & Following Up

The Rolls-Royce Speak Up Line is operated by NAVEX, an external third party. NAVEX's independence from Rolls-Royce is designed to give users an added level of comfort and security that questions and concerns can be submitted anonymously. Once a user "speaks up" using the Speak Up Line, NAVEX receives the report and then passes it on to the Rolls-Royce Speak Up Team.

The Speak Up team "listen up" by reviewing your Speak Up question or concern and then determining the best course of action to get an answer to your question or to address your concern. This often means involving a Subject Matter Expert to provide guidance or look further into the matter. But don't worry, the Speak Up Team maintains oversight to ensure the matter is thoroughly looked into in a timely manner.

If you choose to Speak Up anonymously, the Speak Up Team will continue to be your primary point of contact and will communicate with you via the Speak Up Line.

Speak up

Listen up

Follow up

Have questions about the Speak Up Line?

Can I raise a question or concern anonymously?

We fully support your decision to remain anonymous. Although it is sometimes easier for the Speak Up Team to address your concern if they have your name, you are not required to provide it. If you choose to remain anonymous, no effort will be made by Rolls-Royce to identify you.

However, there is certain information that is needed to fully look into your concern such as where the incident occurred and names of persons involved. In some rare circumstances the nature of the concern raised may make it impossible for you to maintain your anonymity (for example, if the issue raised could only be something that a small number of people are aware of).

What if I'm concerned about retaliation?

Rolls-Royce does not tolerate retaliation. Each of us can ask questions and raise concerns without fear of retaliation. We treat any suggestion of retaliation against individuals who speak up extremely seriously. Such retaliation could lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.




How will I know the outcome?

It is important when you raise a question or concern that you save the unique “key” that is provided to you when you submit your report. Then, use the “Follow Up” link above to log back into the system to review periodic updates from the Speak Up Team and/or learn the outcome of the matter.

To ensure that everyone's privacy and confidentiality are maintained, the Speak Up Team will provide feedback to you directly, or via the Speak Up Line. However, please know that not all information can be shared. We must protect the privacy of all persons involved. In order to maintain the anonymity of the NAVEX system, it is impossible for the Speak Up Team to retrieve your unique "key" if you lose it, so please be certain to save it.

Who else can I speak up to?

We encourage you to speak up using the channel you are most comfortable with. In addition to our Speak Up Line which is available to all, if you are a Rolls-Royce employee you can Speak Up to a leader, a subject matter expert (Human Resources, Quality, etc.) or contact a Local Ethics Adviser. You may also be able to Speak Up using an external reporting authority. More information about the Speak Up Channels can be found .here.

Who sees my question or concern?

The Speak Up Line is a confidential reporting system operated by an external company, NAVEX. All questions and concerns raised are treated in a confidential manner and maintained on NAVEX's secure servers.

Once your report is made, it remains on the NAVEX reporting system and a member of the Rolls-Royce Speak Up Team is alerted to the report. Only a very select number of the Speak Up Team have access to these reports.

The Speak Up Team reviews the question or concern and then determines the best course of action to provide an answer or look further into the matter to resolve the concern. All information provided by you will be treated confidentially, unless otherwise required by law.

What types of concerns should I raise?

The Speak Up Line is designed for our employees, stakeholders, business partners and others to raise questions and concerns about anything they feel may not be in line with Our Values, Our Code, Group Policies and any laws and regulations. Examples include but are not limited to: anti-bribery and corruption, human rights, environmental, supply chain, theft, bullying, harassment or discrimination.