Heineken is committed to comply with local laws and regulations, but also to act in accordance with its own values and principles. Despite all our efforts, it may occur that individuals act unethically on behalf of the company. Such behaviour can cause harm to society, other individuals or the Company itself. For this reason, every employee (or other person authorised according to the procedure) is obliged to act immediately so that Heineken can intervene and stop further damage from occurring. We will act on any legitimate report of serious wrongdoings or malpractices within our Company.
A serious wrongdoing or malpractice is:
- Any serious breach of the provisions in the Heineken Code of Business Conduct
- Any breach of other applicable laws, rules or regulations, codes of practice or professional statements
- Mismanagement
- Abuse of authority
- Danger to public or worker heath and safety
- Any other serious social misconduct
- Concealment of any malpractice
The Code does not replace existing procedures for handling (individual) grievances.
How
To enable the Company to assess the situation, a checklist for reporting a serious breach or malpractice has been developed. You can download this checklist by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
First step
When an employees wishes to raise a specific concern, he or she is encouraged to discuss the matter first with the direct supervisor or with the dedicated local Trusted Representative, before using the whistle blowing procedure. For a full version of this procedure please go the download on the bottom of the page.
Next step
If the matter is serious enough it should be reported to the responsible, line manager being local or international.
In the following circumstances a serious wrongdoing or malpractice should be reported to the Integrity Committee of Heineken International:
- Local management itself is involved in the case
- The case has multinational or international dimensions
- The case concerns a joint venture
- A member of the Executive Board is implicated
Safeguarding confidentiality and anonymity
If for any reason, the reporter does not think it possible or desirable to report to the line manager or the Trusted Representative, or if (s)he chooses to remain anonymous, a world-wide toll-free external multi-lingual telephone service is offered (24/7) for reporting or advice regarding the procedure to be followed. This international help line will establish contact between the whistle blower and the local Trusted Representative or the Integrity Committee.
Safeguarding the position of the employee
Heineken aims to protect employees who make legitimate reports on serious wrongdoings or malpractices. Local Trusted Representatives are instructed to safeguard the confidentiality of any person who makes a legitimate report when the reporter requests this. If desired, employees can fully conceal their identity when they make a report to the international help line. Disclosure of serious wrongdoings or malpractices done in good faith will not have negative consequences and is encouraged by Heineken. However, Heineken will not tolerate false and malicious allegations and will take disciplinary action where and when this occurs.
| 
