Q: Who manages our Concerns Program Hotline?
NAVEX is the third-party vendor we partner with to help manage certain aspects of our Concerns Program. By working through a third-party, we can offer employees many ways to file a concern. Employees may choose to provide their name along with details of their concern or choose to remain anonymous. An employee can have complete confidence their identity will be protected through NAVEX’s handling of the concerns intake process.
Q: Who can file a concern?
The Concerns Program is available to all employees, contractors, customers and business partners.
Q: Should I file a concern?
You have a duty to act if you witness or suspect any activity that does not meet our ethical standards, creates an unsafe work environment or violates law or Company policy. The Company is counting on you to speak up.
Q: Will I get in trouble if I file a concern?
No. Our Company does not tolerate retaliation of any kind for reporting a concern.
Q: Do I have to give my name?
You always have an option to remain anonymous, but by providing your name it will allow an investigator a better chance of getting the full story. There are always multiple perspectives and by being involved in the investigation your story has a better chance of being presented fully. When filing a concern, you can choose to:
- Remain completely anonymous
You will not reveal your name or contact information to the Concerns Program or NAVEX. Your identity is completely protected. - Share your name and information
You do not care about anonymity. You choose to reveal your name and identity to both the Concerns Program and NAVEX.
Q: Who will know if I file a concern?
All investigations are handled in strict confidence and communicated on a need-to-know basis only.
Q: Can I change my report or check its status after I submit it?
You will have a report key and password to access your case while remaining anonymous. While logged in, you can communicate with the investigator assigned to the case. You can also call the Hotline to check the status over the phone.
Q: Does management really want employees to report concerns?
Absolutely! In fact, Southern Company needs you to report them. Reporting can minimize the potential negative impact of inappropriate conduct on the Company and our employees. Reporting also may help identify issues that can improve our culture and performance.
Q: Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
After you submit it, your report is entered directly on the NAVEX secure server. Once entered, NAVEX makes these reports available only to specific Company employees responsible for evaluating the report and ensuring a proper investigation is performed in a professional and confidential manner.
Q: What can I expect to happen after I make a report to the Concerns Program Hotline?
We will respond to every inquiry. We will report and keep you up-to-date on the progress of our investigation. Each contact to the Hotline generates a tracking number which can be used to correspond with the investigator, provide additional information, answer questions and obtain responses from the Concerns Program. Through the system, callers will be informed of the outcome and resolution of their concern.
Q: Will I be notified of any changes to my case?
If you provided your email address, you will be notified of any updates.
Q: I am aware of unethical conduct at my location, but it doesn’t affect me. Am I obligated to report this?
Yes. Our Values and Code of Ethics promote ethical behavior. Employees have a Duty to Act and must promptly report any ethical or compliance issues. All unethical conduct, at any level in the organization, ultimately hurts the Company, the brand, and all employees. As Southern Company employees, we are all responsible for reporting any concerns that may pose a threat to our Company’s reputation and business.
If you have additional questions, please speak with your manager, contact the Concerns Program, or call the Concerns Hotline at 800-492-3902.