What is EthicsPoint?
EthicsPoint is the web-portal for reporting concerns through the Veoneer Helpline.
EthicsPoint is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by NAVEX to assist management and employees work together in addressing fraud, abuse, and other misconduct in the workplace, all while cultivating a positive work environment.
Why do we need a system like EthicsPoint for the Veoneer Helpline?
May I report using either the Internet or the telephone?
Yes. With Veoneer Helpline, you have the ability to file a confidential, anonymous (where allowed) report via either the telephone or the Internet.
What type of situations should I report?
The Veoneer Helpline system is designed for employees to report any actual or potential violations of policies, laws and regulations, Veoneer Standards, or Code of Ethics that you believe have occurred or are about to occur, or other concern you may have. Potential violations that should be reported include but are not limited to:
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or human resources and let them deal with it?
When you observe some behavior that you believe violates our Code of Ethics, we expect you to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct manager or a manager you trust, Human Resources representative, Legal representative, Compliance representative or other member of our management team. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner. It is for such circumstances that we have partnered with Veoneer Helpline to support the Veoneer Helpline. We would rather you report anonymously than keep the information to yourself. Remember, by providing as much information and detail as possible when you report an issue, you are helping our Company investigate and resolve it.
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. Corporate misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire company.
Should I report a concern even not having a proof?
We believe that reports, investigations, and constructive feedback play an important role in making our Company a great place to work. At Veoneer, we are committed to protecting individuals who make a report or participate in an investigation in good faith. “Good faith” means that you honestly provide all the information you have when making a report or participating in an investigation. It does not matter if you realize later that you were mistaken or if the incident reported was not a violation after all.
What would happen if I disclose my identity, would there be any repercussions against?
Retaliation, harassment, and reprisals of any kind are not tolerated at Veoneer. In addition, no employee will be adversely affected because they refused to carry out a directive they believe constitutes fraud or a violation of the Code, laws, or regulations. If you know or suspect that retaliation has occurred or is occurring, report the situation to a Legal representative, to a Compliance representative, or to the Veoneer Helpline.
Will my report be investigated?
Veoneer takes all reports of misconduct seriously. We will act promptly in our investigation, remedy any problem, and prevent it from happening again. Our Company makes every effort to ensure that investigations are consistent, comprehensive, and as confidential as possible. If requested, you are expected to cooperate in any investigation of possible wrongdoing. If the investigation reveals that misconduct has occurred, Veoneer will respond as appropriate or necessary, consistent with the law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include training or disciplinary action, including termination of employment. Additionally, Veoneer may report the misconduct or the results of the investigation to proper authorities. For more information on how Veoneer handles the investigation process, refer to the Investigations Policy.
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 have initial knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting can minimize the potential negative impact on the company and our people. Also, offering positive input may help identify issues that can improve corporate culture and performance.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on the Veoneer Helpline secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. Veoneer Helpline makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the company who are charged with evaluating the report, based on the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has had training in keeping these reports in the utmost confidence.
Isn't this system just an example of someone watching over me?
The Veoneer Helpline system concentrates on being a positive aspect of our overall philosophy, and allows us to assure 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 enhance 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 web-site that my PC connects with, and won’t this log identify me as a report originator?
Veoneer Helpline does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to Veoneer Helpline is available. In fact, Veoneer Helpline is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter's identity.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work PC, you have the option of using a PC outside our work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, at a friend’s house, etc.) through the Veoneer Helpline secure website. Many people choose this option, as Veoneer Helpline’s data shows that fewer than 12% of reports are generated during business hours.
Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?
A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the Veoneer Helpline system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is totally maintained. Plus, Veoneer Helpline is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter's identity.
I am concerned that the information I provide Veoneer Helpline will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?
The Veoneer Helpline system 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…”.
Is the telephone toll-free hot line confidential and anonymous too?
Yes. You will be asked to provide the same information that you would provide in an Internet-based report and an interviewer will type your responses into the Veoneer Helpline Web site. These reports have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them during delivery.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you wish.
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, including you. You only have to consider what 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 know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty to yourself and your coworkers 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. Veoneer Helpline can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possible unethical behavior 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?
The Veoneer Helpline system and report distribution 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 file the report? Or what if the company has further questions for me concerning my report?
When you file a report at the Veoneer Helpline Web site or through the Veoneer Helpline Call Center, you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose a password. You can return to the Veoneer Helpline system again either by Internet or telephone and access the original report to add more detail 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 company questions. You and the company now have 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 Veoneer Helpline correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity.
Can I still file a report if I don’t have access to the Internet?
You can file an Veoneer Helpline report from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file from home. Many public locations, including the public library, have Internet computers. If you don’t have access to or are uncomfortable using a computer, you can call the Veoneer Helpline toll-free hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.