The purpose of this policy is to strengthen SLICES’ commitment to maintaining the
highest standards of business conduct and ethics; adherence to best business practices; and the SLICES
Employee Code of Conduct.
This policy aims to encourage and enable employees to raise matters within SLICES by
providing a framework to promote responsible and secure whistleblowing.
All units in SLICES are required to observe and implement the guidelines as minimum
expected service levels. Exemptions will only be granted for legal (contravene local and / or federal
legislation), technological, cultural, or physical reasons. Sufficient supporting documentation is required
in order to obtain an exemption.
Scope
The SLICES Whistleblowing Policy applies to all board members, directors, officers,
workers and temporary / contract staff at SLICES.
The policy also extends to third parties doing business with SLICES including vendors,
customers and agents who may elect to use the Whistleblowing service.
SLICES Whistleblowing Hotline is designed and operated in a manner to ensure that
anyone who reports an issue and wishes to remain anonymous can choose to do so. All information provided
will be treated with the utmost confidence by an independent team of experienced professionals managing
this service. All reports will be promptly dispatched to SLICES Ethics committee (the Committee) comprising
of Chief Audit Executive, Chief People Officer and VP Risk and Compliance.
This Policy covers Reportable Matters but does not cover staff grievances. A grievance
is when an employee has a dispute about his/her own employment position. It is a matter of personal
interest and does not impact on the wider public. Examples include bullying, harassment and discrimination.
To report grievances please refer to the Employee Grievance Policy (POL/HR0009).
Definitions
“Reportable Matter(s)” can be defined as an illegal or unethical activity
occurring, or reasonably likely to occur, within the company as a result of a violation of law,
regulation or policy, including:
questionable accounting
auditing matters
any other company matters involving:
abuse of authority
breach of SLICES Employee Code of Conduct or employee misconduct
fraud, bribery, corruption
health & safety or environmental issues, and
wastage/ misappropriation of company funds or assets.
“Safeguarding” is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children
and protect them from harm. Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment. Preventing harm to children’s
health or development. Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
Policy Statement
Reportable Matters
Any person may communicate a Reportable Matter to the Company pursuant to the
procedures provided herein without fear of repercussion of any kind. The Company will not discharge,
demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any manner discriminate or tolerate discrimination against any
employee based upon the employee’s good faith reporting of potential misconduct.
All employees are encouraged to report a Reportable Matter which they are aware of, to
the company, when suspicion of fraud or misconduct arises in the organisation or when the employee has
knowledge or suspicion of activities that may be fraudulent and/or in breach of SLICES principles. This
policy ensures that employees are empowered to pro-actively bring to light such instances without fear of
reprisal, discrimination or adverse employment consequences.
SLICES employees can anonymously report concerns of fraud and misconduct to Slices HR
or directly to below:
SLICES Whistleblowing, PO Box 36453 (Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates
Only genuine concerns should be reported. SLICES Whistleblowing
service line does not
replace an employee’s direct communication with their Line manager; employees should not use this service
to log personal complaints or grievances which can be discussed through business protocol defined by the
employee’s business unit. Disclosures must be made in good faith with a reasonable belief that any
information or allegation is substantially true, and that the disclosure is not made primarily or solely
for personal gain.
In dividuals may submit any report on a confidential and anonymous basis. If an
employee chooses to provide his/her details but requests anonymity, HR will not provide the identity of the
employee under any circumstances.
If the whistleblower deems that he or she has suffered retaliation due to registering a
complaint through the Whistleblowing service line, this will be reported to the SLICES Ethics Committee
comprising of Chief Audit Executive, Chief People Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, who
will investigate the concerns and propose remedies if the whistleblower has suffered harm.
Reporting
Employees are encouraged to follow the below stages to report the Reportable Matters:
Stage 1
Direct the Reportable Matter to their Line Manager / Head of Department.
If you are not comfortable speaking to your Line Manager / Head of Department, suspect they may be
involved in the Reportable Matter or you are not satisfied with their response, you are encouraged to
report it as per Stage 2.
Stage 2
Direct the Reportable Matter any of the Ethics Committee members.
If you are not comfortable with speaking to any of the Ethics Committee Members or
you are not satisfied with their response, you report it as per Stage 3.
Stage 3
Register your anonymous complaint through the SLICES Whistleblowing Hotline.
The Committee is set up to receive the reports from HR. If a report involves one of the
Committee members, it will be referred to the other Committee members for evaluation and handling. Upon
receipt of a report, the following procedure will be followed:
The Committee will evaluate the report to assess the nature, scope and impact of the
potential Reportable Matter.
The Committee will decide how to respond in a responsible and appropriate manner
under this policy. If necessary, an investigation will be conducted as speedily and sensitively as
possible. An official written record will be kept at each stage of the procedure.
The Committee may assign initial responsibility for the matter to the Chief Audit
Executive, Chief People Officer, Vice President- Risk and Compliance or to such other person deemed
appropriate by the Committee.
Following the review or investigation, the findings and the action to be taken will
be reported to the Audit Committee.
In addition, the Chief Audit Executive has the authority to communicate directly to the
Audit Committee and to Reputation and Ethic Committee, promptly, about actual and alleged violations of law
or the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, including any reports that involve criminal conduct
or potential criminal conduct and financial irregularities/fraud.
Whilst this policy is intended to protect genuine informants from any unfair treatment
as a result of their disclosure, misuse of this protection by making frivolous and bogus complaints with
malicious intentions is strictly prohibited.
SLICES would like to recognise and reward individuals who report concerns of
wrongdoing. For cases in which the whistleblowing results in recovery of losses incurred by SLICES due to
fraudulent activities, the Company will provide 10% of the recovered amount to the individual as incentive
for whistleblowing.
False accusations will not be tolerated. If an employee or third party makes a report
which he/she reasonable knows to be false, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance
with the Employee Discipline Policy (POL/HR0009) which may involve termination of employment / termination
of business relationship. False accusations may also have legal repercussions leading to civil or criminal
prosecution.
Retention of complaints or concerns and related records
Internal Audit will maintain a record (“Register of Reportable Matters”) setting forth
information regarding the receipt, investigation and final disposition or resolution of all complaints and
concerns and will submit to the Audit Committee a periodic summary report of such information. Copies of
complaints and concerns, if written, and Internal Audit’s record relating thereto will be maintained.
Responsibilities
This policy has been adopted by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of
Directors. Material substantive amendments are subject to the further approval of the Audit Committee.
All employees are responsible for their compliance with this policy and for utilising
the SLICES Whistleblowing service in an appropriate manner. Deliberate misuse of the policy may result in
disciplinary action.
Responsibilities
See the Employee Code of Conduct (POL/HR0008) (English and
Arabic) for further
information regarding performance, conduct and behavioral expectations of all employees.
Also see the SLICES Employee Grievance Policy (POL/HR0010)
, and the SLICES Employee
Discipline Policy (POL/HR0009) for more information.
See Appendix A for an overview of the Whistleblowing process and reporting channels
available.
