Incident management
Feedback
AkzoNobel fosters a climate in which employees give each other feedback on their behavior relating to the Core Principles. This is an important part of having the right compliance culture and teaching our employees how to deal with integrity issues. If an employee becomes aware of a potential violation of the Code of Conduct, he or she is encouraged to speak to the individual, raise their concerns with their Compliance Officer, HR Business Partner or manager or use our SpeakUp! grievance mechanism.
SpeakUp!
The SpeakUp! grievance mechanism offers employees, business partners and the general public a confidential environment in which they can raise any concerns relating to compliance with our Code of Conduct. Complaints can be raised without risk of retaliation and anonymously if so desired. In 2015, the grievance mechanism was updated to align with the new Code of Conduct, while a new set of SpeakUp! rules was published and a portal was made available. With the launch of the new Code of Conduct, the availability of the SpeakUp! grievance mechanism to raise concerns was widely communicated.
Once a report on a potential violation is made, it is investigated on its merits in accordance with proper investigation procedures. If a complaint is found to be substantiated, the necessary actions are taken, including disciplinary measures and root cause analysis.
In 2015, a total of 224 alleged violations of the Code of Conduct were reported, both through SpeakUp! and other channels. Of these 224 matters, 89 were (partially) substantiated and 41 were still in progress at year-end. Ten were managed by the Corporate Compliance Committee as they met defined criteria. Company-wide, 48 matters resulted in dismissal of one or more employees on grounds related to breaches of the Code of Conduct. Other sanctions and remedial actions in (partially) substantiated matters included: review of procedures/controls (10), coaching/training (8), warnings (10), suspension (1), and other disciplinary actions (9). In three matters no action was taken or needed as the persons involved had already left the company.
We believe that the increase of reported alleged Code of Conduct breaches can be explained to a substantial extent by the renewed attention given to our Code of Conduct and SpeakUp! grievance mechanism.
Our Code of Conduct defines our core principles and how we work. It incorporates fundamental principles on issues such as business integrity, labor relations, health, safety, environment and security and community involvement.
Our Code of Conduct defines our core principles and how we work. It incorporates fundamental principles on issues such as business integrity, labor relations, health, safety, environment and security and community involvement.