Whistleblowing

On October 7, 2019, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted the European Whistleblower Protection Directive which aims to protect Whistleblowers who report corruption, fraud, or violations of the law in the countries of the European Union. These measures require covered employers to provide protected channels for reporting and prohibit any retaliation against those who report irregularities.

1. What do we mean by Whistleblowing?

It’s an important way for detecting corruption, illegal or unethical behaviour or other wrong conduct to avoid serious impact to the company's business or incur its liability, to give the company an opportunity to prevent them in time and correct them. The system also contributes to the protection of the Society at large.

Examples of offences that fall in the scope of Whistleblowing:  

• Public procurement.
• Financial services, products and markets, and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Product safety and compliance.
• Transport safety.
• Protection of the environment.
• Radiation protection and nuclear safety.
• Food and feed safety, animal health and welfare.
• Public health.
• Consumer protection.
• Protection of privacy and personal data, and security of network and information systems.

Examples of offences that don’t fall in scope of Whistleblowing:

• Classified facts, information or documents relating to national security.
• Facts, informations, or documents covered by medical secrecy.

Whenever a Whistleblower knows or reasonably suspects that one of the breaches covered by the Whistleblowing System has occurred or is about to occur, then that person or body may use the Whistleblowing System.

The Whistleblowing System is not a replacement for the specific systems already in place to prevent certain types of risks or for other channels such as Management or Employee Representatives, but rather is a complementary process. It is only used in the absence of any other more appropriate process. Whistleblowing constitutes a right for Whistleblower and by no means an obligation.

Reports will be made on factual basis, without any defamatory or prejudicial content.

2. Who may send a Whistleblowing Report?

The system applies to employees at all levels, corporate body, executive manager self-employed, paid and unpaid trainees, volunteers, but also former employees or prospective employees, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, non-executive directors and shareholders, hereafter called the Whistleblowers.

3. What are the Whistleblower protections?

The identity of the Whistleblower, as well as any third party mentioned, must be treated with a high level of confidentially.

In addition, the identity of both the Whistleblower, as well as any third party mentioned, are protected. It also applies to relatives, dependents, or spouses of any of these people.

The reporting persons are protected from dismissal, degradation, and other discrimination as well as retaliation actions (by example: suspension, termination of contract, dismissal or equivalent measures …).

4. Do you want to file a Whistleblowing Report?

The Candriam Whistleblowing Policy provides employees and external parties connected with Candriam with the possibility to file a Whistleblower Report using a dedicated platform called EthicsPoint.

This platform is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by Navex which can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whistleblowing Reports are handled by Compliance Referents in a confidential manner and in accordance with the regulations in force.

Start Whistleblowing request