EthicsLine Vestas EthicsLine 01
EthicsLine The purpose of EthicsLine is first to ensure that you as a Vestas employee have a place to report any inappropriate behaviour or incidents you may experience. Second, EthicsLine provides guidance if you are in doubt about ethical issues. EthicsLine is operated by EthicsPoint, an independent and impartial company. This means that any information you supply will be confidential. You may also remain anonymous if you wish, though it will ease the investigation and help the case handlers to deliver fast and precise answers if you choose to make your identity known. If you think there is a problem, submit a report promptly. You should still do this even if you are not sure whether anything is really wrong. The matter will be investigated and everyone involved will be treated fairly. If there is no evidence to substantiate the matter, the case will be closed. 04 Vestas EthicsLine
When should I use EthicsLine? If you become aware of, or suspect, malpractice within Vestas, and if for any reason you do not want to discuss the matter with your manager, you can use EthicsLine. EthicsLine is a tool with two purposes: 1. if you have observed, or suspect, an incident of malpractice, you can submit a report through EthicsLine; 2. if you have doubts about the proper conduct in a given situation, you can use EthicsLine to ask for clarification. Malpractice means any action which breaks the law, goes against Vestas policies, or could harm Vestas employees or reputation in any other way. You can submit a report on the web or by phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Vestas EthicsLine 05
How do I submit a report? Web The EthicsLine website, www.vestasethicsline.com, includes a link to the EthicsLine reporting process. Before filing the report itself you will be directed to a site hosted on a secure server operated by EthicsPoint. When you submit a report online, you will be given an identifying key and asked to choose a password. After five to six working days, you should log on again to see if the case officer has asked for additional information. Phone You can also submit a report by telephone. This is an international toll-free number; you can find the access code for your country on www.vestasethicsline.com. When you call, you will be transferred to an EthicsPoint employee, a native speaker of your own language, who will write the report for you. The information you give will be treated in confidence, and you may remain anonymous if you wish. 06 Vestas EthicsLine
What will happen to my report? EthicsPoint, the company which operates EthicsLine, will pass your report to the following people within and outside Vestas: Person suspected of malpractice Receiver/case officer The Chairman of the Board of Directors An external lawyer The Executive Management or a Member of the Board of Directors The Chairman of the Board of Directors Members of Vestas Government The CEO of Vestas Wind Systems A/S Other Vestas employee The President of People & Culture As the chart shows, the President of People & Culture will receive a copy unless the report refers to members of the Vestas Government, the Executive Management or the Board of Directors. Everyone receiving a copy of the report will be instructed to keep it strictly confidential. The reporting process contains other safeguards to make sure that information is not abused. For instance, an incident will never be investigated by someone who might be involved in the matter under discussion, or who might be prejudiced for any other reason. Vestas EthicsLine 07
What will happen to me if I file a report? Since it is in the best interests of Vestas to hear about possible malpractice, we will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who files a report in good faith, regardless of whether or not the claim can be substantiated. What if somebody names me in a report? Employees identified in EthicsLine reports will be informed as soon as Vestas has decided that there is a case to answer. Each person will be given the opportunity to correct the information and can choose to have a shop steward, a lawyer or other representative present throughout the process. False reports will be deleted immediately. 08 Vestas EthicsLine
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How do I ask a question? You can use EthicsLine to ask questions about ethical matters on the web or by phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Web The EthicsLine website, www.vestasethicsline.com, includes a link labelled Ask a Question. When you click on this you will be directed to a site hosted on a secure server operated by EthicsPoint. Choose a category for your question and fill in the template. When you submit a question online you will be given an identifying key and asked to choose a password. After five to six working days, you should log on again to see if the case officer has asked for additional information. Phone You can also ask a question by telephoning. This is an international toll-free number; you can find the access code for your country on www.vestasethicsline.com. When you call, you will be transferred to an EthicsPoint employee, a native speaker of your own language. The information you give will be treated in confidence, and you may remain anonymous if you wish. Your question will first be sent in confidence to a Vestas employee with special knowledge of the area concerned. If this person has doubts about the interpretation of corporate policies, or Vestas position on the issue is unclear, the question will be passed on to the Vestas Ethics Committee. 010 Vestas EthicsLine
What is the Vestas Ethics Committee? The Vestas Ethics Committee consists of Vestas CEO, a senior legal expert and a number of Presidents representing Vestas different activities, geographical distribution and links in the Vestas Value Chain. They have the authority to clarify Vestas position on issues for which there are currently no written policies, guidelines or laws. Where can I find more information? The Corporate Social Responsibility intranet site has more information on Vestas EthicsLine. Vestas EthicsLine 011
No. 1 in Modern Energy Vestas Wind Systems A/S Alsvej 21 8940 Randers SV Denmark Tel: +45 9730 0000 Fax: +45 9730 0001 vestas@vestas.com vestas.com 012 Vestas EthicsLine