More information can be found at AUDI AG.
Whistleblower System | Audi Brussels
Our Whistleblower System
Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at Audi Brussels. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. Therefore, we entrusted the Audi Investigation Office to operate an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower System on our behalf.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.
This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Audi Brussels will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven.
Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.
How do we process reports?
The qualified and experienced colleagues at the Investigation Office examine every report for potential misconduct by an Audi Group employee thoroughly and follow it up systematically. First, you will get a confirmation of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterwards, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the Investigation Office and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status and the outcome of the procedure will be given to you without undue delay (the processing time varies depending on the subject of the procedure).
Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office - as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.
Find more information on the procedural principles of the Audi Group Complaints Procedure here.
How to submit reports properly
When the Audi Investigation Office receives a report, it conducts a review in accordance with all of the procedural principles required (such as confidentiality and the protection of whistleblowers). Often, the office must speak with the whistleblowers to review a case and initiate any investigation activities needed. For this reason, it is essential to word your report as clearly as possible. It is helpful if you base your report on the following questions:
› Who? – Who is it about? Who is affected?
› What? – What happened? Explanation of the circumstances.
› When? – When did the incident take place?
› How? – How many times did it happen?
› Where? – Where did the incident take place?
Whistleblowers should make sure that their descriptions can also be understood by persons who are not familiar with the subject area. It is helpful if you make yourself available for further questions for this purpose. If the whistleblower is prepared to do so but would like to remain anonymous with Audi, they can use the anonymous reporting channels.
Apart from the Audi Investigation Office, other points of contact are involved in handling reports. Following a legitimate report, the Investigation Office usually arranges for the necessary internal investigations to investigative functions (such as special audits or security). The Investigation Office also works with Legal Services and Human Resources to investigate and will initiate any measures deemed necessary.
Do you have any concerns or feedback about Audi products or services?
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our products or other feedback or complaints about services provided by Audi or our business partners (e.g. car dealerships, workshops), we kindly ask you to e-mail our Customer Care contact at customercare@dieteren.be. Please be advised that, unfortunately, the Whistleblower System cannot process customer complaints. Thank you for your understanding.
Where can you submit reports?
The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct or potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers in our Supply Chain, that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary.
Download the whistleblower communication flyer
However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.
Do you have further questions or do you need a local contact?
Questions or suggestions for improvement concerning the whistleblower system can also be addressed to the Investigation Office via the contacts above.
If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the ombudsperson as independent body.
Furthermore, our local compliance officer/responsible function can also be adressed in all matters of the whistleblower system via compliance.audibx@audi.de.