Why should I submit a report?

A positive and open corporate culture includes compliance with legal, social and internal company rules as well as respect for other high standards such as human rights and environmental protection.

You may be aware of harmful behavior or risks that endanger the company. By informing us, you will help to uncover damage to the company's finances and reputation at an early stage and thus ensure the long-term success of the Hochland Group and the continued existence of its jobs.

What sort of reports will help the Hochland Group?

In particular, reports of violations of legal and internal guidelines and rules as well as violations of human rights or environmental offenses by us or our business partners help us. These are recorded and processed confidentially.

You will receive detailed information on the possible focal points of a report during the reporting process.

How is the process for submitting a report work? How do I set up a postbox?

If you would like to send a named or anonymous report, click on the "Submit report" button at the top of our introductory page.

The reporting process involves 4 steps:

1. First, you will be asked to read an informational text to protect your anonymity as well as answer a security question.
2. On the next page, you will be asked about the focus of your report.
3. On the report page, you formulate your report in your own words and answer questions about the case using a simple answer selection. You have 5000 characters available for the free text, which corresponds to a full page. You can also send a file of up to 5 MB to support your report. Please remember that documents may contain information about the author. After submitting your report, you will receive a reference number as proof that you have sent this report.
4. Afterwards, please set up your own protected mailbox. We will use this to send you feedback, answer questions and keep you informed about the progress of your report.

If you already have a protected mailbox, you can access this mailbox directly via the "Login" button. Here too, you must first confirm the security prompt.

As long as you yourself do not enter any data that could be used to identify you, the BKMS^® system technically protects your anonymity.

We assure you that we are only interested in the case you have reported. The aim is to uncover irregularities and avert financial losses.

How do I receive feedback and remain anonymous at the same time?

The overriding principle of the BKMS^® procedure in use is the protection of the whistleblower. The system’s anonymity privacy function is certified by an independent body.

When setting up your secured postbox, please select your own pseudonym/ user name and password. These login credentials are not visible for anyone but yourself. If you lose your login details, please submit a new report and set up a new postbox. If possible, please provide the reference number of your initial report. As this will be a new postbox, you cannot see the content of your previous report.

Your report is kept anonymous through encryption and other special security routines. If you want to submit your report anonymously, you do not have to provide any personal details. Do not submit any information that can be traced back to you. Please do not use any technical device, for example a PC or smartphone, that has been provided by your employer, to submit your report.

Via the secured postbox, an examiner will provide you with feedback on what is happening with your information or pose questions if details still need to be clarified - you will also remain anonymous during the dialogue. We are interested in reports to avoid damages, not in your identity as a whistleblower.

What do I do if I am subjected to retaliatory measures?

Retaliation against whistleblowers who have raised compliance concerns in good faith is not permitted. If you have reason to believe that you are subject to retaliation, please notify the local Hochland Compliance Department directly or through TELL US! under the "Other serious infringements" focus. Knowingly providing false or misleading information is not protected and may result in serious consequences.

How does Hochland deal with my report?

Once your report has been received, the Compliance Department will assess whether an investigation is required. An investigation may be conducted by internal or external investigators. If a department outside the Compliance Department is responsible for handling the incident you have reported (even if it falls into one of the reporting categories), your report will be forwarded to that department.

Persons suspected of having violated laws and internal company regulations may be given the opportunity to respond to the circumstances you describe in your report. Upon completion of the investigation, you will receive information as required by law.

Reports submitted that are classified as complaints under the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act are handled in accordance with the rules of procedure. The detailed rules of procedure can be found on the Group homepage.