The EthicsLine is a telephone and Internet-based resource that Mattel employees can use to report actual or potential violations of the law, Mattel’s Code of Conduct, or other Mattel policies. The Helpline is operated by EthicsPoint, an independent third-party that provides helpline services to many global companies like Mattel. It is accessible twenty-four hours a day, from any location, in multiple languages. The toll-free telephone numbers for your country may be found here.
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. Furthermore, an effective reporting system supports our efforts to foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making by ensuring that employees feel empowered to speak up and are comfortable doing so.
The EthicsLine is designed for reporting any potential violation of the law, Mattel’s Code of Conduct, or other Mattel policies that you believe are not being followed as required. Please note: the use of the EthicsLine in the European Union and some other countries may be limited by law. If the EthicsLine cannot accept a report about the type of concern you have, Mattel encourages you to speak with your manager or a higher-level manager in your reporting line, or a member of Human Resources, the Law Department, Internal Audit, or Global Security.
We all have the right to work in a positive environment. With this right comes the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and speaking up if you believe someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment. Corporate misconduct can threaten the assets, goodwill and reputation of an entire company.
Yes, we encourage you to report your concerns. You know what is going on in our company, and consequently you may have initial knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Reporting can minimize the potential negative impact of an issue on the company and our people.
Ideally, you should bring any questions or concerns forward to your managers; to a member of Human Resources, the Law Department, Internal Audit, or Global Security; 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, or that you may not know whom to contact. It is for such circumstances that we have established the EthicsLine as an alternate resource for reporting your concerns.
Yes. The EthicsLine allows you to file a concern via either the telephone or the Internet.
Yes. While we encourage you to identify yourself in order to help us gather necessary information for our investigation, if you are not comfortable providing your name, you can file a report anonymously. EthicsPoint does not use any technology to trace online reports or telephone calls. When you report online, there is no information generated about your computer’s IP address, even if you are reporting from your Mattel computer. When you report using the telephone hotline, calls are not recorded.
Investigating a report is usually faster and more efficient when Mattel 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. Mattel will not tolerate any form of retaliation for reporting a concern in good-faith.
The ability of our employees to communicate ethics and compliance concerns without fear of retaliation is essential to the success of our business. Mattel will not tolerate any retaliation whatsoever against any employee for asking questions or reporting concerns in good faith. Any employee who believes that he or she is being subjected to retaliation for reporting an issue in good faith or assisting in good faith with an investigation should report the matter immediately to Human Resources, the Law Department or the EthicsLine.
File a concern. Mattel would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possibly unethical behavior go unchecked because you were unsure.
Mattel chooses to promote ethical behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees, including you. 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.
Yes, you should still make a report. Mattel’s ethical standards apply to all employees regardless of their position within the company. Unlawful or unethical behavior by any employee can cause harm to other employees, Mattel’s business or its reputation. Our leaders and managers have a responsibility to act as role models by demonstrating ethical behavior at all times.
Mattel will endeavor to keep information that you provide confidential to the extent reasonably possible, consistent with our commitment to investigate the information and our obligation to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Reported concerns are made available 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.
Once you have finished reporting your concern, and even if you have done so anonymously, 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 EthicsLine portal or contacting the telephone helpline. 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.
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.
When you file a concern via the EthicsLine, either using the Internet or by telephone, 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 EthicsLine again, either by Internet or telephone, and access the original report. At that point, you can add more details.
After you file a report, Mattel representatives have the ability to post questions for you, even if you have chosen to remain anonymous. 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 suggest you contact the EthicsLine again via telephone or Internet to see if we have any additional questions about your report. Providing the opportunity for such dialogue means situations may not only be identified but can also be resolved, no matter how complex.
Yes. Mattel takes all reports and allegations seriously and devotes the appropriate time and resources to investigate them. If the information you provide can be verified, and is a violation of the law, the Code of Conduct or other Mattel policy, corrective action, including disciplinary action where necessary, will be taken.
Mattel treats each report in a professional and confidential manner consistent with our commitment to investigate the information and our obligation to comply with applicable laws and regulations. After an investigation is completed and the case has been closed, we will update the status of the report. However, due to confidentiality concerns, we do not report the details of our investigations or any resulting disciplinary action.