The EthicsLine is a confidential way to report violations or potential violations of our Code of Conduct, any stated company policy, or any law, rule or regulation. While this secure online website is managed by a third-party service provider, Wells Fargo will address your report with respect and confidentiality throughout the process. You may choose to include your name and contact information or, where permitted by local law, remain anonymous. You have the option to file your report by phone or using the secure online form found on this website.
Why do we have an EthicsLine?– 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.
– An effective reporting system will augment our other efforts to foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
– At Wells Fargo, we are all risk managers and the EthicsLine provides an easy, accessible and confidential way to speak up.
Wells Fargo wants all employees to feel comfortable and confident in raising questions and concerns. When concerns are raised in good faith, we do not tolerate retaliation of any kind, which includes discrimination, harassment, or other negative action taken against an employee for making a report. If you believe that you or someone else has been subjected to retaliation, you must report it as soon as possible to management, Employee Relations Solutions/Human Resources or the EthicsLine. For more information, please review the Speak Up and Nonretaliation policy within the Policy Library or the Team Member Handbook, which may be accessed through Teamworks.
I am a customer and want to discuss my account or other banking products and services. Is the EthicsLine the right resource for me?No, if you are a customer, please call 1-844-WF1-CARE (1-844-931-2273) for assistance.
Yes, you may file a report online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, any day of the year.
What type of situations should I report?The EthicsLine is provided for you to raise concerns about other employees behaving unethically or illegally, including possible internal fraud-related unusual activity; violations of Wells Fargo policy, or violations of laws, rules, or regulations; or to report concerns related to accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. Your report is treated with respect, confidentiality, and anonymity (when requested and as permitted by law) in accordance with Wells Fargo's Allegation Management Policy.
If I see a violation, shouldn't I just report it to my manager, security, or human resources and let them handle it?When you observe some behavior you believe violates our Code of Conduct, we expect you to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct manager or another member of our management team. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner and wish to remain anonymous. The EthicsLine offers an alternate reporting channel where you can choose to remain anonymous (where permitted by local laws).
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 right people know if someone is not acting appropriately. Corporate misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire company. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment.
Why should I report a concern early?– The company can take action to mitigate risk.
– Those who investigate or look into the concerns are dealing with fresh and relevant facts and data rather than stale or changed circumstances.
– The company can improve or correct problems or address workplace situations quickly so they don’t cause more problems.
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. As a Wells Fargo employee, you should never feel encouraged or pressured to look past our culture, values, or ethics. We have a responsibility to know what's right and do what's right and to speak up when unethical or illegal behavior involves possible violations of company policy or laws, rules, or regulations - whether it relates to you, your manager, a co-worker, a customer, or third-party service provider. Remember, at Wells Fargo, everyone is a risk manager.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?To ensure your identity and the details of your conversation are kept in the strictest confidence, the EthicsLine intake process is managed by a third-party vendor staffed with trained communication specialists. When you report a concern the information you provide is documented in detail by the communication specialist and forwarded to the appropriate Wells Fargo group for research, investigation, and resolution. The identity of all parties and details of EthicsLine reports are confidential and are only shared with those who have a business need to know in order to properly research the concern.
Is it possible to speak with someone in my native language?Yes, translation services are available. You may choose to report in English or another language.
Providing your contact information if you are comfortable doing so is recommended, as it allows the investigator to contact you with clarifying or follow-up questions which can result in a more thorough investigation. There is a section in the report where you may identify yourself.
If I submit a report using my Company computer can it be tracked?No, however, if you feel uncomfortable submitting a report on your work computer, you have the option of using a computer or device outside our work environment (such as one located at a library, your home, a friend’s house, etc.) to submit a report through wellsfargo.ethicspoint.com. The EthicsLine is housed on the vendor’s secure servers and is not part of Teamworks or the Wells Fargo network.
I plan to submit a report anonymously, but am concerned the information I provide could ultimately reveal my identity. What steps can I take to minimize that outcome?Do not include identifiers in your report. For example, “from my workspace next to Jan Smith…” or “in my 28 years at Wells Fargo… ” And avoid discussing the details of your confidential report with those who do not have a business need to know or who are outside of the investigation process. Please remember, however, Wells Fargo has zero tolerance for acts of retaliation against an employee who makes a good faith report of improper workplace behavior.
Does the EthicsLine also offer anonymity and confidentiality when I report by phone?Yes, you may opt to remain anonymous when reporting a concern to the EthicsLine by phone – as long as anonymous reporting is permitted by local laws. You will be asked to provide the same information you would provide in the online form; the communication specialist will type your responses directly into a secure form. Reports made by phone have the same security and confidentiality measures applied to them as online reports.
Ethical behavior is expected by all employees. Any unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all employees, including you. If you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, it is your duty report it and a requirement of the Speak Up and Nonretaliation Policy.
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. We would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possibly unethical behavior go unchecked because you were unsure. There is never a penalty for raising a concern to the EthicsLine in good faith.
What if my manager or other managers are involved in a violation? Won’t they receive a copy of the report?No. The EthicsLine process ensures your report is held in the strictest confidence and it is not shared with any reported party. The report is only shared with those within the investigative process and with a strict business need to know.
What if I remember something important about the incident after I file the report?When you file a report, either online or by phone, you receive a unique report key and are asked to create a password. With the report key and your password, you can return to the report either online or by telephone to add additional details or support documentation.
What if I uploaded the wrong document or file by mistake and attached it to my report?If you uploaded a file or document by mistake while entering a new report, do not submit the report. Close your browser and begin a new report. This step is especially important if you attached confidential or proprietary information that should not be included with your report. If you were following up on your previously submitted report and uploaded an incorrect file, it is not possible to delete the file. Return to the Follow Up section and use your report key and password to post a message flagging the mistake and upload the correct one.
What if I submitted my report anonymously and you have questions for me concerning the report?The EthicsLine functionality enables the investigator to post questions for you when you report a concern. If you filed a report anonymously, check back in 5 days using the “Follow up” button at wellsfargo.ethicspoint.com to see if any questions have been posted for you. You will need your report key and password. Providing the opportunity for such dialogue allows clarification of complex issues and allows for a more thorough review of the concern.
Are follow up reports secure?All EthicsLine correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report. If you chose to remain anonymous that is also extended through the follow-up correspondence.
What should I do if the telephone number is not working?If the telephone number listed for your location is not functioning, please make your report online at wellsfargo.ethicspoint.com. Please indicate in the report that the telephone number did not work or contact the Ethics Office to report the technical issue.
Will I learn the outcome when the investigation is complete?Due to the sensitive nature of the resolution process and preserving the confidentiality of everyone involved, you may not be provided specific details regarding the outcome of your concern. However, please know that you will be informed when your case is closed and it is being addressed in accordance with Wells Fargo policy.
What if I have trouble logging in or have lost my report key or password?Due to security measures in place, neither Wells Fargo nor EthicsLine representatives are able to recover lost report keys or passwords. If you need to follow-up on a previously submitted report or have additional information to provide, you will need to submit a new report. Include as much information as possible from the original report and state that this is a follow-up to a previously submitted concern.
What if I need dialing instructions to contact the EthicsLine outside of the U.S. or Canada?Please visit Teamworks and search for “EthicsLine for team members outside of the U.S.” to locate a guide on how to connect with the EthicsLine or visit the Resources tab on this site for a link to the guide.
Who should use the EthicsLine to report a concern?While the EthicsLine is a resource established for Wells Fargo employees to report ethical and business conduct concerns, the resource is also promoted in our Code of Conduct which is available publicly at wellsfargo.com.