Respecting ethical principles
VINCI has adopted a rigorous framework so that all its employees can contribute effectively to the Group’s integrity and transparency requirements.
“ The point is to support andeducate employees, especially hose in operational positions,
by providing them with actionable tools that will help them. For example, the Anti-corruption Code of Conduct is an operational tool based on real-life situations, such as using service providers. It sets out the rules of conduct to follow, in this case ensuring the use of a service provider is justified and performing certain preliminary checks.”
Performance in 2023
79,000
employees
were trained in the prevention and detection of acts of corruption during the year.
54,000
managers
had undertaken, as at end-2023, to comply with and enforce the Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Anti-corruption Code of Conduct within their scope of responsibility.
Ethics and compliance
Ethics is at the heart of all business relations between VINCI and its stakeholders. The Group expects the highest standards of conduct from each employee based on a sense of honesty, loyalty, respect for dignity and individual rights. This commitment is reflected at the highest level in the Group.
The Manifesto defines the common framework for all VINCI entities through eight universal commitments. The Code of Ethics and Conduct lays down all the principles of business ethics that apply in all circumstances, in all countries where the Group operates, and to all companies and their employees. It is used in tandem with the Anti-corruption Code of Conduct, which details the rules concerning the prevention of all acts of corruption, notably identifying risks in business processes and defining conduct to be avoided. These three documents are available in more than 30 languages on the Group intranet and website. They can therefore be accessed by almost 100% of employees in the official language of their country and are included in the new employee welcome kit. The Group’s 54,000 key managers have undertaken to comply with and enforce these codes within their scope of responsibility.
Training and information
Specific training programmes have been developed and deployed at all levels in the organisation so that all employees can contribute effectively to preventing and detecting acts of corruption at their level of responsibility. These modules complement the general e-learning training courses on the Group platform, such as the “Anti-corruption – Challenges and Risks”, “Conflicts of Interest” and “Competition Law” courses.
Partners and subcontractors
The integrity and transparency requirement does not just apply to Group companies and employees, but also to its partners and subcontractors. In addition to their technical expertise and ability to fulfil their duties, subcontractors are also assessed for their commitment to complying with human rights and business ethics, and their commitment to VINCI’s values.
VINCI Integrity
The online whistleblowing platform called VINCI Integrity is available in five languages on the Group intranet and website. In addition to the systems specific to each entity, it enables employees and all other stakeholders to report any inappropriate behaviour in the areas of human rights, business ethics, environmental risks, and health and safety. It guarantees full traceability and anonymity of all discussions, and the protection of whistleblowers.
Governance
The Ethics and Vigilance Department reports to the Chairman and CEO. Working closely with the business line departments, corporate functions and the Group’s Ethics and Vigilance Committee, and relying on both internal expertise (Legal, Audit, Human Resources and Information Systems departments, Ethics and Compliance Club, Data Privacy Committee and Human Rights Steering Committee) and external expertise, it coordinates the implementation of the prevention system.
The Ethics and Vigilance Committee has seven members, five of whom are also members of the VINCI Executive Committee. It is responsible for implementing compliance systems covered by the Code of Ethics and Conduct concerning the prevention of serious violations of business ethics, competition law, human rights, basic freedoms, and the health and safety of people and the environment, attributable to the Group’s businesses. It oversees changes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Anti-corruption Code of Conduct.