Reporting of Concerns - “Speak Up” or “Whistleblowing”?
In any organization, whether private or public, big or small, breach of laws, internal rules or ethical codes may occur. This can take many forms: corruption, fraud, business malpractice or negligence. If they are not addressed, it can result in serious harm to the public interest as well as to the organization’s reputation.
People who work for an organization or are in contact with it in their work-related activities are often the first to know about such occurrences and are, therefore, in a privileged position to inform those who can address the problem.
We in Zentiva believe that a qualified investigation and response to any report helps the organization improve the prevention of, and ensure the proper reaction to, such activities.
That’s why Zentiva introduced the Zentiva Speak up initiative (“Speak Up”) as a general mechanism to create a safe and confidential reporting environment. Within Speak Up, you may use any means or channel available to you (“Speak Up Channel”) to be heard.
Additionally, as a reaction to EU Whistleblower Directive, we have implemented a Whistleblowing mechanism (“Whistleblowing”). As required by the applicable local laws, we created the dedicated communication channels to be used for Whistleblowing (“Whistleblowing Channel”).
The Chapter “Reporting of Concerns” in our Code of Ethics lays out the essential rules for both Whistleblowing and Speak Up mechanisms. Whistleblowing and Speak Up are both covered by detailed internal rules in each Zentiva company, and Whistleblowing, in addition, also when subject to applicable local or EU laws.
If you want to raise a concern, please make sure you are using the right tool:
- you can always choose Speak Up, in any country, for any concern, by any channel
OR - if your Zentiva entity falls within Whistleblowing scope (EU Whistleblower Directive), you can choose dedicated internal reporting channel(s) for Whistleblowing.
Rest assured that there will be no retaliation in both Speak Up and Whistleblowing against good-faith reporting.
Please note the basic differences of principles between Speak Up and Whistleblowing in our Zentiva environment:
| Speak up | Whistleblowing |
| Established and detailed in Zentiva internal rules | Established by applicable law, detailed in Zentiva internal rules |
| Applies to all Zentiva countries | Applies only to countries where mandated by law |
| Anybody can speak up and will be heard | Only reporters defined in law can be handled as whistleblowers |
| Anonymous (unless the reporter chooses not to be anonymous) | Non-anonymous (unless the local laws require anonymous reports to be accepted) |
| Any topic can be raised | Reports must fall within limited areas given by the local law |
| Report can be made by any Speak Up Channel | Reports must be made only through Whistleblowing Channel |
| False report is breach of internal rules – disciplinary action applies | False report is breach of law and internal rules – disciplinary action and fine apply |
Please contact our official Whistleblowing page or Speak up page.