Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Employee SpeakUp?

Employee SpeakUp enables Employees to report in a confidential manner, any potentially illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.  Employee SpeakUp offers a website, a secure Fax number and a surface mail option for filing reports.
 
Website:
www.Employeespeakup.com

Using the "Reportnow" button

Email:varkey@employeespeakup.com

Fax: +971 4 4370274

Surface Mail:

Employee SpeakUp
P.O. Box 413394
Dubai United Arab Emirates

Q2. What should I do if I suspect, observe, or hear about potentially illegal, unethical, or improper conduct?

Although you may not know for sure if there has been misconduct or unethical behaviour by an Employee, you are encouraged to raise your concerns regarding potential violations of law/Company policies or any unethical behaviour.

Q3. But if the potentially illegal or unethical conduct doesn’t affect me directly, why should I report it?

To ensure good corporate governance, which the Company passionately supports, Employees should raise any concerns and report potential or suspected violations of the Company's policies or applicable laws and regulations. These may lead to financial, moral or other unfavorable consequences.

Q4. What types of potentially illegal, unethical, or improper conduct should I report?

You should report any concern you may have regarding potential wrong doing, including - but not limited to - concerns in any of the following categories:

Accounting, auditing and professional practice issues, including
  accuracy of the Company’s financial records.
Fraud, bribery or corruption in any of the business operations related to the organisation
Procurement fraud
Discrimination, harassment, substance abuse, threats and other work environment issues
Unreasonable gifts, meals and entertainment
Illegal or suspected illegal acts
Marketing and competitive practices
Theft or misuse of the Company’s assets and resources
Theft or misuse of the Company’s intellectual property rights.

Q5. What if I am uncomfortable either speaking to my manager or any other channel to communicate my concern, or suspect my manager or others in leadership, may be involved in a violation?

If you are uncomfortable reporting through other normal channels of communication or they have proven ineffective, or are impractical under the circumstances, you should raise the issue through Employee SpeakUp by either:

– Using the " Report now " button
– faxing the details to the secure fax number +971 4 4370274
– making use of the surface mail address:

Employee SpeakUp
PO Box 413394, Dubai,
United Arab Emirates

Email:varkey@employeespeakup.com

Whether reporting via website, fax or surface mail, you may choose to provide your contact details or to submit your report anonymously. In either case, your report will be handled confidentially.


Q6. Who operates ‘Employee SpeakUp’?

KPMG, a team of independent experienced professionals run and manage this service, and they are in no way involved or affiliated with the day to day business of the Company. This ensures complete confidentiality to anyone who files a report. Anonymity can be claimed and if not will be assumed. The website, fax or surface mail can be used to report at anytime.

Q7. What does the Company do to protect me from retaliation?

The Management and Board will not retaliate against anyone who, in good faith, reports a possible violation of its policies, or who participates in an investigation, even if sufficient evidence is not found to substantiate the concern. Management will take appropriate action against any individual engaging in retaliatory conduct.

The Employee SpeakUp policy does not enable you to exempt yourself from the consequences of your own improper conduct by self-reporting. The Management does, however, encourage self-reporting and, depending on the specific circumstances, may treat self-reporting as a mitigating factor when assessing disciplinary measures in response to improper conduct. If you feel you have been subject to retaliation because you filed a report you are urged to contact Employee SpeakUp again to report such instances.

Q8. If I choose not to reveal my identity when reporting, how does Employee SpeakUp preserve my anonymity?

When reporting via Employee SpeakUp, whether by website, fax or surface mail you have the option to remain anonymous. The hotline is designed to protect your confidentiality, and your identity, if requested.

Q9. What if I want to be identified in my report?

When reporting via Employee SpeakUp, whether via website, fax or surface mail, you may choose to identify yourself. The Employee SpeakUp Committee will assess the report confidentially without knowledge of your identity.

Q10. What if someone uses Employee SpeakUp to make a malicious or false report?

Malicious reporting, or knowingly filing a false report, is a violation of the Employee SpeakUp’s process. Those who violate such business standards, regardless of title or tenure, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Q11. What if I remember something important about an incident after I have filed a report, or the SpeakUp Committee has further questions about my report?

If you report the incident through the Employee SpeakUp website, you will be provided with a unique identification number. Any additions to the report can be made subsequently by referring to the unique identification number.
In the case of surface mails and fax reports, you may attach a copy of the original to the subsequent additional report.

Q12. Who investigates the reports made to Employee SpeakUp?

KPMG, an independent team of experienced professionals transmit the report to the Speak Up Committee who evaluate the report to assess the nature, scope and impact of the offence reported. Such reports are analyzed and a decision is taken in regard to the next steps or further course of action.

Q13. Can reports be filed in a language other than English?

Yes. You may report incidents in English and French. Soon, you will be able to report in Arabic and Hindi.