Reporting Channels

Information on how to raise integrity concerns and how we handle them.

Reporting and Whistleblower Protection

<p>ABB provides a safe environment for reporting integrity concerns, and expects all its stakeholders – employees, contractors, suppliers, customers and any other interested parties – to <b>speak up</b> with reasonable concerns about possible violations of the ABB Code of Conduct (CoC) or the law.</p> <p>When good faith concerns are raised, ABB is committed to ensuring that they are appropriately addressed and that those who raise them are protected from retaliation.&nbsp; Raising a concern in <b>good faith</b> means with genuine belief that the concern raised is real, based on what you saw, heard or experienced.</p> <p>Refer to the <a href="https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?DocumentID=9AKK107680A7765&amp;LanguageCode=en&amp;DocumentPartId=&amp;Action=Launch">ABB Code of Conduct</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?DocumentID=9AKK108469A4228&amp;LanguageCode=en&amp;DocumentPartId=&amp;Action=Launch">Whistleblower Protection Statement</a> for more information on our commitments and expectations.</p>

How do I report Concern?

  1. How to report

    Concerns can be raised through a variety of integrity reporting channels:

    • ABB Business Ethics Helpline, which is available 24/7, by web or phone, and hosted by an independent third-party provider. It is open to all stakeholders, internal or external
    • An ABB manager
    • An ABB Human Resources team member
    • ABB Legal & Integrity team member
    • An individual designated by an ABB local whistleblowing policy

  2. What to report

    Report suspected violations of the law or our Code of Conduct, which covers many topics, including:

    • Bribery and facilitation/grease payments
    • Fraud – whether through undisclosed conflicts of interest, misrepresentations, or other means
    • Unfair competition
    • Trade sanction or import/export rule violations
    • Appropriate handling of personal data, confidential data and intellectual property
    • Discrimination and harassment
    • Modern slavery, child labor, or human trafficking
    • Retaliation for good faith reporting or for participating in an investigation of misconduct

  3. What kind of information do I need to provide?

    Reports can be made anonymously meaning you can choose not to disclose your identity.  If you do not disclose your identity, including contact details is important so communication can be maintained throughout the investigation. Whether a report is made anonymously or not, ABB takes reasonable steps to ensure confidentiality of integrity concerns raised in line with legal obligations and the need for a thorough review, and prohibits retaliation for reports made in good faith.

     

    To support a thorough investigation, including all relevant facts, details, and context. Consider the nature of your concern and the information someone would need to review it – at least, the who, what, when, where and how. Be clear on what you are stating as fact, and what you may be providing as reasonable belief or speculation.  ABB may not be able to action reports if they do not contain sufficient information.

Resolving Reports

<p>The ABB Business Ethics Helpline is hosted by an independent third-party provider. Reports are forwarded to a dedicated investigations team within ABB’s Legal &amp; Integrity function or, in EU countries where required by law, to a local representative in a designated ABB entity.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>All reports are resolved using systematic processes to ensure due process is applied. This includes fair and impartial investigation where needed, or referral to appropriate internal stakeholders for resolution of reports raising questions or concerns not requiring investigation.</p> <p>We aim to resolve reports as promptly as we can, consistent with the need for a thorough review. This can be weeks, or in more complex investigations, months.</p> <p>We immediately acknowledge receipt when a report is received and communicate further throughout the process as needed, and when a report is closed. We often request additional information from reporters, and they can provide additional information anytime through the original reporting channel used, including our Business Ethics Helpline, which includes two-way communication capabilities.</p>

Accountability and Remediation

If a concern is confirmed, appropriate action is taken following processes in place to guide decision making that fosters accountability, consistency and fairness, and reduced risk of future misconduct.

 

Disciplinary measures may include warnings, role changes, financial penalties/sanctions, or employee separation. Decisions are based on investigative findings and aligned with applicable laws and policies.

 

Many remediation actions apart from discipline also are considered and implemented.  Specific remedial actions depend upon the nature of the investigative findings and root cause analysis (e.g., remediation for fraud differs from remediation for modern slavery or child labor), but can include policy, process and procedure enhancements, coaching, training and other awareness-raising communications, compensation or reimbursement, and/or  using ABB’s leverage to influence third party actions or change ABB’s relationship with them.