Sanoma-WhistleB hotline
The Sanoma-WhistleB reporting hotline enables Sanoma group employees and third parties to report suspicions of serious misconduct in confidence. It is an early warning system to reduce risks and an important tool to foster high business ethics and maintain customer and public trust in Sanoma.
The hotline can be used voluntarily by Sanoma group employees (or by third parties such as vendors, or other business partners) in countries where Sanoma operates to report misconduct by or within Sanoma group companies.
Please note that this is not a tip line for new stories. We are always looking for new stories. Please submit news tips directly to journalists.
When can I use the hotline?
You can use the hotline to report suspicions of serious misconduct at Sanoma concerning financial or banking crimes (e.g. fraud), accounting, internal controls, auditing, bribery or corruption. Please do not submit information concerning an individual’s ethnic origin, political opinions, religious belief, health or sexual life through the hotline.
If you want to report misconduct on another topic (e.g. unequal treatment, bullying or discrimination), please use as first possibility another Sanoma reporting channel e.g. contact your manager, HR, Local Compliance Officer, Group Compliance Officer, Legal, Internal Audit. If these report or information channels cannot be used, or you do not feel comfortable with that as for example there is a risk that the report is not properly handled, then the hotline can be used as reporting channel also for these and other topics.
How secure is the system?
The system is secure and confidential. The WhistleB hotline is provided by an external partner, the Whistleblowing Centre, to ensure confidentiality. The reporting process is encrypted and password-protected to ensure security. All reports will be processed in confidence.
Can I make an anonymous report?
We prefer you to include your name and contact details in the report so that we can investigate your concerns more effectively. However, you can submit a report anonymously if you want to. Neither Sanoma nor WhistleB can identify or track the source of a report unless you provide contact details. Be assured that we do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who has made a report in good faith; nor do we tolerate malicious reporting.
How is my privacy protected?
Sanoma Corporation in Finland (www.sanoma.com) determines how the hotline is operated, and is the main data controller in respect of any personal data reported through the hotline. Local entities may also be data controllers under national data protection laws. Whistleblowing Centre (www.whistleb.com) is our data processor. Personal data is collected from employees or third parties who make hotline reports and from other employees during the course of investigations. Personal data may include the name, contact information, position/department of an employee at Sanoma and information related to the allegation in question. Personal data collected through the hotline is only used for the purpose of investigating and following up on the alleged misconduct.
What happens when I make a report?
Your report is submitted easily and securely by following the instructions in the form. You will receive a personal ID and password on the screen. Save these securely – you will need them to log back in.
The Sanoma Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and Head of Internal Audit (HIA) will be notified when a new report has been posted on the WhistleB site. They can log in (with passwords) to pick up and reply to your report. Neither WhistleB, nor anyone else at Sanoma, can access your report. CLO and HIA will then lead a small investigation team, whose members have signed confidentiality agreements. Allegations and investigations of serious misconduct are reported to Sanoma’s Ethics and Compliance Committee (E&CC) and ultimately the Audit Committee of Sanoma Corporation. However, personal data is only disclosed by the investigation team to the E&CC, Audit Committee or an external body, such as the police, with the individual’s consent or where essential to the investigation.
Within 7 calendar days, we may post a response or follow-up question for you.
Thank you for helping us to be a company that promotes good business ethics.