If there is a suspicion that a company is violating internal guidelines or even committing a criminal offence, those responsible must ensure that such suspicions are reported. These compliance reports can now be easily submitted digitally at REWE Group.
Misconduct at work - especially in connection with bribery and corruptibility - can cause great damage not only to a company and its employees, but to society as a whole. Employees and outsiders who point out misconduct are often referred to as whistleblowers in international parlance. By reporting compliance issues, they demonstrate courage and integrity. Companies have a duty to protect them appropriately. Whistleblowers must not suffer any disadvantages as a result of providing compliance information.
New law to protect whistleblowers
To protect whistleblowers, the EU adopted the Whistleblower Directive, which is currently being transposed into national law by the German government. This so-called Whistleblower Protection Act obliges companies with more than 50 employees to set up internal company channels for compliance reports within certain transitional periods. This is intended to make it easier for whistleblowers to report violations.
REWE Group introduces digital reporting platform
At REWE Group, compliance violations could previously be reported by email, telephone or letter. As a modern company that relies on innovative solutions, REWE Group has now set up a digital reporting channel: With the REWE Group Hintbox, it is now particularly easy to submit compliance notices - anonymously if desired. The new tool also enables smooth, data protection-compliant communication between whistleblowers and the responsible compliance departments at REWE Group. People who wish to submit compliance reports without using the digital tool can continue to contact the REWE Group ombudsperson.
The REWE Group Hintbox will be available to both employees and external parties in German, English and a number of other languages via the Internet. REWE Group's Code of Conduct, which was revised in 2020, was also supplemented with information on the new platform.
REWE Group expressly encourages employees and external parties to report misconduct. In this way, you actively take action against injustice and protect both employees and the entire company from harm. You can find the Hintbox at https://rewe-group.hintbox.de/.