Whistleblowing channel
Whistleblowing reporting channel for SOL employees and stakeholders
At SOL, we want to operate openly, responsibly and ethically. It is therefore important that suspected misconduct and other serious concerns can be reported safely. By raising a concern, you give us an opportunity to investigate the matter, address any identified issues and prevent similar situations in the future.
What should I do if I identify a concern?
If possible, first raise the matter with your supervisor or your SOL contact person. If you are unable or unwilling to discuss the matter with your supervisor, you may contact, for example:
- your supervisor’s supervisor
- an employee representative or another personnel representative
- the Human Resources department
- SOL’s Legal Department
- SOL management.
If these options do not feel suitable for your situation, you can submit a report through SOL’s Whistleblowing reporting channel, which is maintained by an external service provider. The reporting channel is available to SOL employees as well as people outside SOL and SOL’s stakeholders.
What matters can be reported?
You can submit a report if you suspect conduct that breaches the law, regulatory requirements, SOL’s principles of good business conduct, values or internal guidelines.
A report may concern, for example:
- breaches of legislation, regulatory requirements or SOL’s internal guidelines
- financial misconduct, such as fraud, embezzlement or other improper financial conduct
- bribery or other forms of corruption
- conflicts of interest or the concealment of such conflicts
- labour exploitation, harassment or discrimination
- serious failures relating to occupational safety or occupational health
- breaches of data protection or information security
- unethical conduct in relation to customers, stakeholders or public authorities
- serious environmental breaches or failures
- retaliation against a reporting person or attempts to prevent reporting.
You may also report another serious concern if you suspect that it is inconsistent with SOL’s principles, values or internal guidelines.
What is the reporting channel not intended for?
The reporting channel is not intended for:
- ordinary customer feedback or complaints
- general questions about services
- ordinary questions concerning terms and conditions of employment
- issues relating to daily work arrangements or operational activities
- emergencies involving an immediate threat to life, health or property.
Ordinary employment-related matters should primarily be addressed with your supervisor, the Human Resources department or a personnel representative. Customer feedback should be submitted through SOL’s ordinary feedback channels.
If the situation involves suspected serious misconduct or a breach of SOL’s principles of good business conduct, you may submit a report through the Whistleblowing reporting channel. In an emergency, contact the appropriate public authority or emergency services directly.
What information should I include in a report?
Describe what happened as clearly and specifically as possible. Where possible, explain:
- what happened
- where and when it happened
- who is involved
- whether the situation has occurred more than once
- how you became aware of the matter
- whether there are any related documents, messages, images or other materials.
You may submit a report if you have reasonable grounds to believe that the information is accurate. If you have material that may support the investigation, you can attach it to your report.
Can I submit a report anonymously?
Yes. You can submit a report anonymously. You may also submit a report under your own name.
The identity of a reporting person is treated confidentially and is disclosed only to people who are authorized, by virtue of their duties, to handle the report. Reporting under your own name may make it easier to investigate the matter and ask follow-up questions. Reports submitted under a person’s own name are also handled confidentially.
How is a report handled?
The technical maintenance of the reporting channel is provided by an external service provider. The channel is secure, and the information submitted in a report is handled confidentially.
Reports are handled professionally, impartially and without undue delay. Only people who are authorized, by virtue of their duties, to handle reports take part in the process. If a person handling a report has a connection to the matter or person concerned by the report, they will not participate in handling the matter.
SOL’s Legal Department is responsible for handling reports concerning SOL’s Finnish companies. Reports concerning SOL’s international companies are primarily referred to the designated responsible persons in the relevant country. Where necessary, an independent external expert may assist with the investigation.
What happens after I submit a report?
After you submit a report:
- You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within seven days.
- The content of the report and the need for further action will be assessed.
- Where necessary, a more detailed investigation will be initiated.
- You will receive feedback on the handling of the report within three months of the acknowledgement of receipt, to the extent that information can be provided while maintaining confidentiality.
Remember to keep the identification details or login information you receive when submitting your report. You will need them to follow the handling of the matter, read messages sent to you and respond to any follow-up questions.
Reporting persons are protected against retaliation
SOL does not tolerate retaliation against any person who, in good faith, reports suspected misconduct or participates in the investigation of a matter.
Reports can be submitted in any language
The reporting channel interface is available in approximately 20 languages. You can write your report in any language.