2021 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT

General and financial elements

2.3.2 Fraud
Risk identification Risk management procedures

Fraud: intentional act by an employee or a third party aimed at embezzling Group assets

The systems of a group as decentralised and diversified as VINCI are exposed to the risk of both internal and external fraud, especially as regards payment systems.
Attempts at fraud generally target the individuals involved in external payment
processes.

Possible consequences:

  • - Financial loss
  • - Damage to the Group’s reputation

Fraud: intentional act by an employee or a third party aimed at embezzling Group assets

The systems of a group as decentralised and diversified as VINCI are exposed to the risk of both internal and external fraud, especially as regards payment systems.
Attempts at fraud generally target the individuals involved in external payment
processes.

Possible consequences:

  • - Financial loss
  • - Damage to the Group’s reputation

Risk management procedures

External fraud prevention involves several Finance Department, Security Department and Information Systems Department units. The core system includes reporting via an online platform (with a link on VINCI’s intranet), enabling central services to react immediately and facilitating analysis of fraud attempts.

In addition, a set of fraud prevention measures has been made available on the Group’s intranet. These include instructions specifying correct conduct in the event fraud is suspected, guidelines concerning means of payment, and awareness-raising measures to be taken in regard to the key personnel faced with this kind of situation. Specific information and recommendations are regularly distributed to CFOs and anti-fraud coordinators.

A fact sheet detailing remote working procedures was distributed to all Group employees.

Internal fraud prevention is based on the Code of Ethics and Conduct as well as on specific training or awareness initiatives. It is described in chapter E, “Workforce-related, social and environmental information”, page 201.

In addition, a new procedure entitled “Preventing and combating fraud at VINCI SA” was published on the Group’s intranet. This document covers internal and external fraud and lists the Group personnel involved in combating fraud, as well as providing an overview of all systems implemented to prevent and combat fraud effectively.

2.4 Workforce-related and social risks

The Group’s workforce-related and social risks are set out in full in section 4 of chapter E, “Workforce-related, social and environmental information”, which reports on the duty of vigilance plan (pages 233 to 258). The information provided in this section includes both the effects of VINCI’s activities on workforce-related and social issues and, vice versa, the impact of those issues on the Group’s risks.

Group companies are subject to risks related to the working conditions of their employees. They must also deal with the significant impact they have on stakeholders and communities in the regions where they are active. These workforce-related and social risks are taken into account at every project stage and are analysed far upstream so as to identify local issues and the expectations of stakeholders, including employees and their representatives. Appropriate measures are implemented as a result of this analysis. Similar analyses are carried out regularly throughout the life of each project.

2.4.1 Human rights

VINCI companies have strong roots in the regions where they operate; these areas have very different labour standards. The companies must also meet international standards of human rights: the Global Compact, which VINCI signed in 2003, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the eight fundamental ILO conventions.

Group companies ensure that they uphold human rights in their operations and place great importance on their employees’ working conditions, on those of their subcontractors and on respect for local communities. They remain exposed to allegations brought or controversies raised by human rights organisations and other NGOs, local communities and residents, international organisations and institutions, or financial institutions. These can affect the Group’s image.

Risk identification Risk management procedures
  • - Risks inherent to the nature of construction activities: labour-intensive, cyclical character and multiplicity of participants in the value chain (subcontractors, temporary staff)
  • - Lack of personnel training and/or clear guidelines, non-compliance with Group rules
  • - Expropriation of local populations by public stakeholders 
  •  Possible consequences:
  • - Deterioration in relationships with stakeholders
  • - Legal proceedings and potential conflicts with employee representative bodies, human rights organisations and other NGOs
  • - Lack of credit with investors and international organisations
  • - Damage to the Group’s reputation
  •  
  • - Risks inherent to the nature of construction activities: labour-intensive, cyclical character and multiplicity of participants in the value chain (subcontractors, temporary staff)
  • - Lack of personnel training and/or clear guidelines, non-compliance with Group rules
  • - Expropriation of local populations by public stakeholders 
  •  Possible consequences:
  • - Deterioration in relationships with stakeholders
  • - Legal proceedings and potential conflicts with employee representative bodies, human rights organisations and other NGOs
  • - Lack of credit with investors and international organisations
  • - Damage to the Group’s reputation
  •  

Risk management procedures
  • - Developing and disseminating VINCI’s Guide on Human Rights (https://www.vinci.com/publi/manifeste/vinci-guide_on_human_rights-en.pdf), identifying Group-level risks and the related guidelines in favour of human rights
  • - Identifying potential sources of project controversy and risks incurred in the region
  • - Implementing the appropriate legal, management and coordination tools (clauses for subcontractors, election of employee representatives, dialogue with local
    communities, etc.)
  • - Evaluating human rights in subsidiaries
  • - Implementing training and raising awareness among managers and their team members
  • – Taking part in sectoral and collaborative human rights initiatives
2.4.2 Health, safety and security of employees and subcontractors

Health and safety

Employees of VINCI companies and subcontracting companies are required to work on the often complex projects and operations that the Group carries out. This can threaten their health, safety, hygiene and the quality of their life at work. The health and safety coordinators of the Group’s business lines have identified several major risks. In case of accident or near miss, the affected company’s business can be slowed considerably, and appropriate corrective measures must be implemented before it can be restarted.

Security

Given the large number of countries where the Group operates, some activities may be affected by various forms of social and political instability (terrorism, armed conflict, embargo, seizure of bank accounts or equipment, etc.), as well as malicious acts such as vandalism and theft on construction sites, or criminal acts such as physical attacks or kidnapping.