Frequently Asked Questions

Reporting Security & Confidentiality

About NAVEX

What is NAVEX?

NAVEX is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool to assist management and employees in working together to address harassment, discrimination, fraud, and other misconduct in the workplace.

Why do we need a system like NAVEX?

An effective reporting system will augment our other efforts to foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
Publicly traded companies are required by law to have an anonymous reporting vehicle to address accounting and auditing fraud directly to the audit committee.

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?

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 misconduct or ethical violations, consider it your duty 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. NAVEX can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possibly unethical behavior go unchecked because you were unsure.

What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation? Will they get a report?

The NAVEX 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.

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

When you file a report, either using the online reporting or through the telephone to NAVEX’s Contact Center, 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 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 provides functionality that enables company 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 may also be resolved, no matter how complex.

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

All NAVEX correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity, if you so choose (and where permitted by local laws).

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

You can file a NAVEX report from any computer that can access the Internet. You can file 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 NAVEX toll-free hotline which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dialing instructions vary by country; verify the proper dialing instructions with a local team member.

What should I do if the telephone number is not working?

If the telephone number listed above is not functioning, please make your report online through this website. Please indicate in the report that the telephone number did not work.

What should I do if the country I am in is not listed above?

If there is no service for your location, please make your report online through this website. Please indicate in the report that dialing instructions for the country you are located in were not available.

General Reporting

May I report online or by telephone?

Yes. With NAVEX, you have the ability to file a report online or by telephone.

What type of situations should I report?

The NAVEX system is designed for employees to report any alleged violation of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other ethical or compliance concerns you may have.

If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, Security, or Human Resources?

When you observe behavior that you believe violates our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we expect you to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct manager or other member of our management team. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner. It is for such circumstances we have partnered with NAVEX. We would rather you report anonymously (where permitted by local laws) than keep the information to yourself.

Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?

We all have the right to work in a positive environment. With that right comes the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and letting the appropriate people know if someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment. Corporate misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire company.

Does management really want me to report?

We certainly do. In fact, we need you to report. 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 can minimize the potential negative impact on the company and our employees.

Where do these reports go? Who can access them?

Reports are entered directly to a NAVEX secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. NAVEX makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the Business Risk, Global Compliance and Employee Relations, and Legal departments who are charged with evaluating the report, based on the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of the report recipients will keep confidential any information reported and has received training in the importance of confidentiality.

Reporting Security & Confidentiality

Is it true that a company computer generates a server log that shows every website my computer connects with; won’t this log identify me as a report originator?

NAVEX does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses; no information linking your PC to NAVEX is available. In fact, NAVEX is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.

If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work computer, you have the option of using a computer outside our work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, the library, at a friend’s house, etc.) through the NAVEX secure website. Many people choose this option, as NAVEX’s data shows that fewer than 12% of reports are generated during business hours.

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

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

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

The NAVEX system is designed to protect you. In fact, we are contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity. To further ensure your anonymity, you - as a reporting party - need to be careful not to reveal any identifying details as part of your report. For example, “from my cube next to Jan Smith … ” or “in my 33 years … ”

Is the telephone toll-free Ethics and Compliance Hotline confidential and anonymous too?

Yes – so long as anonymous reporting is permitted by local laws. You will be asked to provide the same information you would provide in an Internet-based report; the interviewer will type your responses directly into NAVEX’s secure environment. Hotline-based reports have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them during delivery as Internet-based reports.

What if I want to be identified with my report?

There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you wish.