U. S. STEEL
ETHICS AND SAFETY LINE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line? If I see a violation, shouldn’t I just report it to my supervisor, safety and security, human resources, or the legal department? As a union-represented employee in the United States, may I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line? As a represented employee under the Collective Labor Agreement in Slovakia, may I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line? If I’m not an employee of U. S. Steel, can I still contact the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line? What if this is an emergency? What types of issues should be reported? What if I’m not certain the activity is illegal, unethical, or relates to safety? When is the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line available? What happens if I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line Internet site? What happens if I submit a report over the telephone? What happens if I submit a report through the mail? Will I be required to share my name with the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line? How does the follow-up feature work and when should I use it? What should I do if I lose my report key or password? How does the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line ensure anonymity? What if I face retaliation for filing a report?

What is the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line?

The U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line is a convenient and confidential way to report potential illegal or unethical conduct, violations of corporate policies, laws, or regulations, or safety concerns that may affect U. S. Steel. It is hosted by EthicsPoint, Inc., an independent company.

If I see a violation, shouldn’t I just report it to my supervisor, safety and security, human resources, or the legal department?

You may always raise potential concerns to your supervisor, safety and security, human resources, or the legal department. However, there are several reasons why you may want to choose the Ethics and Safety Line:

• If you believe that ethics and compliance or safety concerns are not being resolved, either through the existing managerial chain or other reporting options;
• If you do not feel comfortable reporting through other channels; or
• If you would like to remain anonymous when reporting a violation or concern. (Due to European Union data protection rules, European-based reporters generally are encouraged to identify themselves when making a report. In North America, you are encouraged to identify yourself so that U. S. Steel may contact you for additional information but identifying yourself is not mandatory.)

As a union-represented employee in the United States, may I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line?

Yes, you may. However, the Ethics and Safety Line is not a substitute for the grievance procedure provided by your collective bargaining agreement for matters governed by that agreement. Unless the report also involves matters outside the collective bargaining agreement, you should use the applicable grievance procedure.

As a represented employee under the Collective Labor Agreement in Slovakia, may I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line?

Yes, you may.

If I’m not an employee of U. S. Steel, can I still contact the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line?

Yes. Anyone who suspects illegal or unethical conduct or suspects or identifies a safety concern at U. S. Steel may contact the Ethics and Safety Line.

What if this is an emergency?

Concerns about an immediate threat of physical harm or damage to property should not be reported to the Ethics and Safety Line. If you require emergency assistance, please contact your local emergency services.

What types of issues should be reported?

You should report any suspected illegal or unethical conduct, including suspected violations of law, regulation, corporate policy, and the Code of Ethical Business Conduct, or any safety concern. Examples of such issues include, but are not limited to:

• Ethics & Compliance issues:
• Unlawful discrimination or harassment
• Workplace violence
• Substance abuse
• Conflicts of interest
• Falsification of documents
• Inappropriate gifts and entertainment
• Inappropriate political activities and contributions
• Insider trading and other securities law violations
• Breaches of confidentiality obligations
• Inappropriate use of U. S. Steel assets (including company records)
• Theft
• Bribes and kickbacks
• Safety Concerns
• Violation of a Life-Threatening Program
• Unsafe condition
• Housekeeping issues
• Personal Protective Equipment concerns
• Procedure or practice violation
• Improper or poorly maintained tools and equipment
• Lack of or improper training

What if I’m not certain the activity is illegal, unethical, or relates to safety?

When in doubt, it’s best to report the activity, issue, or concern. As a guide, ask yourself:

• Does it appear to be a violation of the company’s policies, procedures, or safety practices?
• Does the activity seem to be unsafe or could it result in an injury?
• Does it seem to be dishonest?
• If I were doing this, would I be embarrassed to tell my family or friends?
• Could this harm the company in any way?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should speak up.

When is the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line available?

Toll-free telephone and Internet-based reporting is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also send a report through the mail. The mailbox is checked on a regular basis, but not every day. Due to their more immediate nature, safety concerns should be reported through the Internet or via telephone, not through the mail.

What happens if I submit a report through the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line Internet site?

When you submit a report through the Internet, a series of prompts will guide you through the reporting process. You will be asked to provide the most detailed information possible about your concern, such as names of witnesses and potential victims of the alleged unethical or illegal conduct or the safety concern.

Your report will be logged and forwarded to the appropriate investigator at U. S. Steel. Please note that the investigator may try to reach out to you via the Internet site to ask additional follow-up questions. Reports will be treated confidentially to the extent feasible.

What happens if I submit a report over the telephone?

When you place a call to the Ethics and Safety Line, you will be connected to a call center specialist who will take your report. If you are calling from outside of North America, you will first hear an automated message recorded in Slovak and English prompting you to choose a language preference. You will then be connected to a native-speaking call center specialist based on your language selection. It could take up to three minutes to connect you with a native-speaking call center specialist, so please be patient and remain on the line while waiting for the connection.

When speaking with the specialist, you will be asked to provide detailed information about your report. You should also be prepared to provide the names of witnesses and potential victims of the alleged unethical or illegal conduct or the safety concern to facilitate the investigation into your report.

The specialist forwards your report to the Ethics and Safety Line system administrator who will assign your report to the appropriate investigator at U. S. Steel. Please note that the investigator may try to reach out to you via the system to ask additional follow-up questions. Reports will be treated confidentially to the extent feasible. The specialist is not an employee of U. S. Steel and cannot provide advice or resolve your issue over the phone.

What happens if I submit a report through the mail?

Reports received by mail will be assigned to the appropriate investigator at U. S. Steel. Please provide as much detailed information as possible about your concern, such as names of witnesses and potential victims of the alleged unethical or illegal conduct. Reports will be treated confidentially to the extent feasible.

If you choose to send a report by mail, please be aware that you will not be able to follow up on your report either through the Internet or telephone. Due to their more immediate nature, safety concerns generally should not be reported through the mail.

Will I be required to share my name with the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line?

You are not required to provide your name or any employee identification. If you choose to identify yourself, your identity will be provided only to those with a need to know. Everyone who receives such information is obligated to maintain confidentiality to the extent feasible. Due to European Union data protection rules, European-based reporters generally are encouraged to identify themselves when making a report.

If you prefer to make an Internet or telephone report anonymously, continued follow-up on your part is particularly important since the investigator will have no other means to communicate with you.

How does the follow-up feature work and when should I use it?

When you submit a report through the Internet site or telephone number, you will receive a unique report key and will be asked to choose a password. After submitting your report, you should review it within five to six business days by using the “Follow up on a report” feature through either the Internet or telephone using your report key and password. Check back with the Ethics and Safety Line to:

• Check the accuracy of your report;
• Provide additional information related to your report; and
• Respond to any follow-up questions that may have been posted.

Please be aware that if you submit a report by mail, you will not be able to follow up on your report.

What should I do if I lose my report key or password?

If you lose your report key or password and you wish to follow up on your report or provide additional information, you will need to submit a new report. You should mention in the new report that this matter relates to a prior report.

How does the U. S. Steel Ethics and Safety Line ensure anonymity?

EthicsPoint, Inc., the independent, third-party operator of the Ethics and Safety Line system, does not trace phone calls or use caller identification. In addition, EthicsPoint does not generate or maintain internal connection logs containing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, so no information linking your computer to EthicsPoint is available. Reports from your computer come through a secure Internet portal which does not trace or show user screen names. Finally, EthicsPoint removes Internet addresses to ensure that anonymity in the Ethics and Safety Line system is maintained. EthicsPoint will not use information reported to it for any purpose other than passing along reported information to U. S. Steel for appropriate handling.

What if I face retaliation for filing a report?

U. S. Steel policy strictly prohibits any retaliation against anyone who in good faith reports an ethics or compliance violation or safety concern. If you believe you have faced retaliation of any kind, please report it to your supervisor or the Ethics and Safety Line so that the company can investigate.