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"Bunge Hotline"
Commonly Asked Questions

What is the “Bunge Hotline”?

The “Bunge Hotline” is a comprehensive and confidential reporting mechanism that can be used by employees, customers or any stakeholder to ask questions and raise concerns regarding Bunge’s Code of Conduct, company policies, procedures or the law.

Why do we need a system like the hotline?

  • We believe that our employees are our most important asset. By creating open channels of communication, we can promote a positive work environment and maximize productivity.
  • Your prompt action to report any suspected misconduct can help prevent or limit any damage to Bunge and its reputation.

Select a box below to view common questions and answers about that topic.

About NAVEX Global
About Reporting
Security & Confidentiality
Tips & Best Practices

About NAVEX Global

What is NAVEX Global?

NAVEX Global is an independent third party service provider that has been retained by Bunge to maintain the Bunge Hotline and its case management application.

What is the difference between NAVEX Global, Inc. and EthicsPoint?

EthicsPoint is the name of the helpline services and case management application owned and operated by NAVEX Global, Inc.

Reporting – General

What type of situations should I report?

The hotline is designed for employees and other external parties to ask questions and report any concerns regarding Bunge’s Code of Conduct, company policies, procedures or the law.

If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, Human Resources, Legal and/or Global Ethics and Compliance?

Bunge provides several resources for you to ask questions or raise concerns. Ideally, you should bring any questions or concerns forward to your manager, another manager you trust, local Human Resources, the Legal Department and/or Global Ethics and Compliance, or as otherwise provided under local reporting procedures. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner. It is for such circumstances that we have established the Bunge hotline.

May I report using either the Internet or the telephone?

Yes. The hotline allows you to file a concern or question either by identifying yourself or reporting anonymously, subject to applicable local laws, via either the telephone or the Internet.

Why should I report what I know?

We must never try to conceal anyone’s failure to comply with the Code, company policy or procedure, or the law. Your prompt action to report any suspected misconduct can help prevent or limit any damage to Bunge and its reputation.

Where do these concerns go? Who can access them?

Concerns are entered directly into NAVEX Global’s secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. Reported concerns are made available by NAVEX Global only to specific individuals within the company who are charged with evaluating the reports, based on the type of reported concern and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has had training in keeping these reports confidential to the fullest extent practicable under the circumstances.

Reporting Security & Confidentiality

It is my understanding that any concern 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?

NAVEX Global does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses; no information linking your PC to NAVEX Global is available when you access the hotline. In fact, NAVEX Global 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 our work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, the library, at a friend’s house, etc.) through the NAVEX Global secure website. Many people choose this option, as NAVEX Global’s data shows that fewer than 12% of reports are generated during business hours.

Can I file a concern from home and still remain anonymous?

A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the NAVEX Global system strips away identifying information, such as an IP address, so that anonymity is maintained. NAVEX Global is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.

I am concerned the information I provide NAVEX Global will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?

The NAVEX Global system is designed to protect your anonymity. NAVEX Global is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity. To further ensure your anonymity, you - as a reporting party - need to be careful not reveal any identifying details as part of your report.

Does it help if I identify myself?

Investigating a report is usually faster and more efficient when the Bunge Global Ethics & Compliance manager is able to follow up the issue directly with the person who reported it. If you have identified yourself, reasonable efforts will be made to respect your confidentiality. Your identity will not be disclosed unless necessary for carrying out a proper investigation, required in the course of legal proceedings, or as required by local laws or local company mandates. Bunge will not tolerate any form of retaliation for reporting a concern in good-faith.

How can I monitor the progress of my concern if I choose to remain anonymous?

Once you have finished reporting your concern, you will be provided with a report key and asked to create a password. With these two pieces of identification, you will be able to follow up the report, either by visiting the hotline portal or contacting the telephone hotline number. You may need to wait a few days after your submission before you can monitor progress and check whether you are being asked for any additional information.

What if I lose my report key or password?

In order to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, you will be asked to file a new concern if you lose either your report key or your password. You should mention that your new report relates to one supplied earlier.

Tips & Best Practices

I am aware of some individuals involved with unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it?

Bunge chooses to promote ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees, including you. One only has to consider what happened in recent corporate scandals to see the disastrous effects a seemingly harmless lapse in ethics can have on an otherwise healthy company. If you know of any incidents of alleged misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty to yourself and your co-workers to report it.

I am not sure if what I have observed or heard is a violation of Bunge’s Code of Conduct, company policy, applicable law or involves unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?

File a concern. NAVEX Global can help you prepare and file your concern so it can be properly understood. Bunge would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possibly unethical or illegal behavior go unchecked because you were unsure.

What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation? Won’t they get the report and start a cover-up?

The NAVEX Global system and report distribution protocols are designed so implicated parties are not notified about or granted access to reports in which they have been named, unless required by local laws.

What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the concern?

When you file a concern via the hotline, either using the Internet or over the phone, you receive a unique report key and are asked to select a password. With the report key and your password, you can return to the NAVEX Global system again, either by Internet or telephone, and access the original report. At that point, you can add more details.

What if you have questions for me concerning my report?

NAVEX Global provides functionality that enables Bunge representatives to post questions for you, even if you report anonymously. When you receive your report key, you will be provided with the amount of time we expect for the report to be processed. When that time has passed, we strongly suggest you check to see if any questions have been posted. Providing the opportunity for such dialogue means situations may not only be identified but can also be resolved, no matter how complex.

Are these follow-ups on reports as secure as the first one?

All NAVEX Global correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity, if you so choose, to the extent permitted by local law and local company mandate.

Can I still file a report if I don’t have access to the Internet?

You can file a report via the hotline from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file a concern from home. Many public locations, including most public libraries, have Internet computers. If you don’t have access or are uncomfortable using a computer, you can call the hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. International dialing options are available by country on the website.

This is NOT an Emergency Service. Do not use this site to report events presenting an immediate threat to life or property. Reports submitted through this service may not receive an immediate response. If you require emergency assistance, please follow your site procedures to contact local emergency personnel.