PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF WHISTLEBLOWERS WITHIN THE WEISS GROUP
The WEISS Group (hereinafter referred to as WEISS) accords the highest priority to compliant behaviour in all areas. It is integrity, trust, fairness and adherence to the rules at WEISS that forms the basis of the trust of our employees, clients and business partners. So as to ensure that we can fulfil these requirements at all times, it is important that we learn of potential misconduct in good time and rectify it.
To this end, WEISS has set up a whistleblower system that gives employees the opportunity to report any information (also anonymously). Having a fair whistleblower system in place makes all the difference. It helps to uncover legal and regulatory violations quickly, investigate them without undue delay and put an end to proven misconduct.
It is very important for us to emphasise in this context that we condemn false accusations, and that we strive to make our companies better! Having an uncompromising culture of values, recognising breaches of company regulations in good time and protecting the rights of whistleblowers fosters trust in our employees and WEISS.
The relevant authorities check every report and follow it up consistently. If you contact them, the relevant authorities will guarantee the best possible protection for whistleblowers, those affected and the employees involved in investigating the report.
Who is part of the WEISS Group? Who is the whistleblower reporting for or about?
WM Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Druck GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Direktservice GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Intermedia GmbH & Co. KG
MW Grafiksatz GmbH & Co. KG
TW Wochenspiegel GmbH & Co. KG
S-W Verlag GmbH & Co. KG für Lokalinformationen
DVH Weiss-Druck GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Einkauf GmbH & Co. KG
Wochenkurier Lokalverlag GmbH & Co. KG
Weiss-Logistik GmbH & Co. KG
Weigro GmbH
Weiss-Druck Stiftung
Submitting a report - albeit correctly!
It is important that your report is as specific as possible so that it can be processed and investigated appropriately. It might prove helpful if you consider the five W-questions in your report: Who? What? When? How? Where?
As the person responsible for providing the information, please make sure that your descriptions can also be understood by people from outside the field. It is helpful if you remain available for further questions.
What constitutes an offence?
Some examples of rule violations include embezzlement, theft, corruption, sexual harassment, discrimination (based on gender, for example), non-compliance with legal requirements or acting against product rights.
Reporting potential misconduct - but how?
1. Online reporting form:
You can submit your report by filling in an online form: https://weissgruppe.de/en/whistleblowing-system/whistleblower-protection-act-form.html
2. E-Mail:
You can contact the relevant authorities via the following e-mail address: hinweisgebermeldestelle(at)weissgruppe(dot)de
3. Hotline:
You can also contact the relevant authorised persons by telephone: 02472-982-823
4. Post:
You can also report potential misconduct by post.
Address:
Personal/Confidential
Reporting centre WEISS
Hans-Georg-Weiss-Str. 7
52156 Monschau
What happens after you have submitted the report?
WEISS is committed to protecting the rights of whistleblowers. For this reason, relevant authorities have been appointed to process reports independently.
The said relevant authorities act as neutral, independent intermediaries. The relevant authorities appointed by WEISS receive your reports of potential misconduct and check whether they are plausible and valid (plausibility check).
If the situation so demands or if the identity of the whistleblower has been stated, the relevant authorities remain in contact with the whistleblower and engage in regular dialogue. In order to investigate and resolve a matter, the relevant authorities also forward information to the decision-makers at WEISS. All reports are treated confidentially by the relevant authorities and the whistleblower decides for themselves whether they wish to protect their identity vis-à-vis WEISS or not. The relevant authorities ensure at all times that reports from whistleblowers who do not wish to be identified are forwarded anonymously.
As long as an violation has not been proven, the person in question is presumed innocent.