The board has approved an updated speak-up policy, which sets out how anyone working for the group can raise a concern about misconduct, safety or financial reporting without fear of retaliation.
The revised policy extends protection to contractors, agency workers and former employees, and introduces an independent reporting service operated by an external provider. The service is available around the clock by telephone and online in English, Dutch, German and Danish, and concerns can be raised anonymously.
Concerns are logged and reviewed by the Group General Counsel, who reports a summary to the audit committee each quarter. Managers across the group will complete a short briefing on handling reports before the end of the year.
“A reporting line only works if people trust it,” said Grace Adeyemi, Group General Counsel. “That is why it is independent and why the audit committee sees every category of report, not just the ones management selects.”