The Vestas Code of Conduct is the guiding ethical document outlining Vestas global commitment and expectations to people, environment, sustainable goals and our business partners. In this respect it sets out clearly what is expected and what is acceptable behaviour from employees and people acting on behalf of Vestas.
Vestas aims to ensure a high degree of business integrity and compliance with the code already from the first day on the job. All new employees are being introduced to the Vestas Code of Conduct as part of their induction. They also take part in compulsory e-learning, some of which is tailored to their particular job role.
To anchor the values and principles in the organisation, commitment from top management is mandatory. Certification to Vestas Code of Conduct was carried out for the first time in 2011 for top management (Vice President level and above). The certification is an annual activity where employees confirm that they have read and understood Vestas Code of Conduct and that they are not aware of any unaddressed violations of Vestas Code of Conduct. Certification is expected as part of our commitment to UN Global Compact and the commitment to the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative.
In addition, all employees are being informed of Vestas’ EthicsLine which can be used for reporting violation of company policies and for seeking guidance when faced with an ethical dilemma.
EthicsLine
Vestas’ whistle-blower system EthicsLine was introduced in 2007. Vestas is committed to securing an ethical environment in our company, and Vestas EthicsLine has been established to ensure that inappropriate behavior or incidents are brought forward and handled.The purpose of the EthicsLine is first to ensure that Vestas employees, business partners or anyone associated with Vestas have a place to report any inappropriate behavior or practices which may be experienced within the Vestas workplace. Secondly, the EthicsLine provides guidance when in doubt about ethical issues.
Vestas EthicsLine can be used to:
- report malpractice that has been observed or is suspected;
- ask questions about Vestas policies, or difficult issues of behaviour or ethics, when the answers cannot be found elsewhere
