Do What's Right: Report What Seems Wrong

Corporate Compliance & Business Conduct Hotline

About the Hotline
General Information
Security & Confidentiality
Tips & Best Practices
What is the Xcel Energy Compliance Hotline?
The Xcel Energy Compliance Hotline is managed by a third party and supported by EthicsPoint software. Employees can use the Xcel Energy Compliance Hotline to report a concern or ask a question. Effective communication is critical in today's workplace, and this is a great tool to enhance that communication. EthicsPoint is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool to assist management and employees to work together to address fraud, abuse, and other misconduct in the workplace.
Why do we need a system like EthicsPoint?
We believe employees are our most important asset. By creating open channels of communication, we can promote a positive effect in our work environment and maximize productivity. Publicly traded companies are required by law to have an anonymous reporting vehicle to address accounting and auditing fraud directly to the Audit Committee. An effective reporting system will augment our other efforts to foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision making.
What type of situations should I report?
If you believe someone is violating the law, the Code of Conduct or any other company policy, or is doing anything that could damage the company's reputation, you need to promptly: Report What Seems Wrong. Xcel Energy offers many reporting options, including the Compliance Hotline. In addition to reporting a concern, you can use the Compliance Hotline to ask a question about compliance or business conduct issues.
May I report using either the Internet or the telephone?
Yes. With EthicsPoint, you have the ability to file a report via the telephone or online.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or human resources and let them deal with it?
When you observe behavior you believe violates our Code of Conduct, we encourage you to discuss issues with the CCBC office, human resources or your leader. If you have reason to believe that your leader is involved in a suspected violation or act of wrongdoing, you should use one of the numerous other reporting options that are available, such as the Compliance Hotline.
What happens after I make a report?
1. Report 2. Check back 3. Assign 4. Investigate 5. Close
Does management really want me to report?
Absolutely. In fact, as stated in the Code of Conduct, you have a responsibility to Report What Seems Wrong. You know what is going on in our company - both good and bad. You may have initial knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting, especially reporting in a timely manner, can minimize the potential negative impact on the company and our employees. Also, offering positive input may help identify issues that can improve corporate culture and performance.
It is my understanding that any report I send from a company computer generates a server log that shows every website my PC connects with. Won't this log identify me as a report originator?
EthicsPoint does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to EthicsPoint is available. In fact, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter's identity.

If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work PC, you have the option of using a PC outside of your work environment, such as a personal PC or a PC located at a public library.
Can I submit an anonymous report?
Yes. However, please note if you choose to remain anonymous, it is very important to provide enough detail for an investigator to look into your concern. Also, if your concern is about activity directed toward you specifically, we may need to know your identity to properly investigate. We commit to taking your concerns seriously, investigating them and keeping you safe from retaliation. That means we treat all reports confidentially.
Can I provide my name through the EthicsPoint reporting tool?
Yes. There is a section in EthicsPoint for identifying yourself, if you wish.
Can I receive updates on the investigation?
Yes, before ending a call, the caller is provided with a report number and callback date. Employees can then anonymously keep up with a case's progress. At times, this is useful for asking clarifying questions of the caller or requesting additional information. The cycle continues until the investigation is complete.

If you report misconduct or a concern through the internet, you will have the option to create a password prior to submitting your report. This password can then be used to receive updates on your report by using the "Follow up on a Report" link. It's very important you keep your Report Key and password to enable you to follow up and check progress or answer additional questions.
Is the telephone toll-free hotline confidential and anonymous too?
Yes. You will be asked to provide the same information you would provide in an Internet based report and an interviewer will type your responses into the EthicsPoint website. These reports have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them during delivery. The hotline number is 1-800-555-8516.
I am aware of some individuals involved with unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?
Our company chooses to promote ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees, including you. You only have to consider what happened in recent corporate scandals to see the disastrous effects that a seemingly harmless lapse in ethics can have on an otherwise healthy company. So if you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, you have a responsibility to yourself and your coworkers to report it.
I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a violation of company policy, or involves unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?
File a report. You have a responsibility to Report What Seems Wrong. We'll take it from there by conducting an investigation. Appropriate action will be taken, if needed. We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be unsubstantiated than let possible unethical behavior go unchecked because you weren't sure.
I have a question that is related to ethics, compliance, business conduct, the work environment, a security concern or how to interpret a potential action as it relates to a company policy. How do I get clarification?
There is an online form that can be accessed by using the "Ask a Policy Question" link. Your question or inquiry will be addressed by an appropriate person within the company and you will be contacted directly if your contact information was provided, or a response will be posted through EthicsPoint that you may view by using the "Follow up on a Report" link.

If the behavior in question or possible violation of company policy has already taken place, please file a report via one of the reporting options available.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the report? Or what if the company has further questions for me concerning my report?
When you file a report at the Xcel Energy Compliance Hotline you receive a unique user name and are asked to choose a password. You can return to Xcel Energy's Compliance Hotline again either online or via telephone and access the original report to add more detail or answer questions posed by a company representative and add further information that will help resolve open issues. We strongly suggest that you return to the site in the time specified in case there are questions that request additional information.
Are these follow-ups on reports as secure as the first one?
All EthicsPoint correspondence is held in the same strict confidence as the initial report.
Can I still file a report if I don't have access to the Internet?
You can file an Xcel Energy Compliance Hotline report from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file from home. Many public locations, including public libraries, have computers with internet access. If you don't have access to or are uncomfortable using a computer, you can call the toll-free hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-555-8516.