The Ethics and Vigilance Department supports the implementation of the Group’s compliance programmes, in addition to procedures for raising concerns in specific areas of risk. It reports to the Group’s Executive Management and is responsible for VINCI’s whistleblowing system (paragraph 4.2.3, “Identification and detection of risks,” of the sustainability report, page 284).
VINCI has set up a whistleblowing platform called VINCI Integrity, available in multiple languages, which can be used by any concerned individual – in particular a Group employee, a worker in the value chain or anyone impacted by the Group’s projects – to safely report any behaviour or situation that appears to breach VINCI’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, its Anti-corruption Code of Conduct or rules applicable to human rights and fundamental freedoms, people’s health and safety, or environmental concerns. More broadly, the platform can be used to report any suspected crime or infringement of national or international law, as well as any threat or harm to the public interest.
Several complementary channels are available for receiving reports. Whatever the means used, all communications are kept strictly confidential. Employees can choose to go through their direct or dotted-line supervisor, the designated officer in their entity, or a local platform for reporting concerns. Employees can also contact the Chief Ethics and Vigilance Officer at Group level directly or use VINCI Integrity, the Group’s secure whistleblowing platform.
The Group pledges to protect whistleblowers and facilitators from any form of retaliation, including threats and attempts of retaliation, and to provide the persons concerned with the protection measures specified for France in Law 2016-1691 of 9 December 2016 and in Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. These whistleblower protection measures are included in the FAQ on the VINCI Integrity platform.
