Compliance at Tchibo
More than 70 years ago, Max and Ingeburg Herz set the foundation for the Tchibo success story. Their beliefs: We must take responsibility and act responsibly. Their principles still shape the Tchibo corporate culture today and form the core of the brand.
Compliance with legal and internal company rules is an integral part of our corporate principles and culture and the basis of the trust that our employees, our customers and our business partners place in us.
For Tchibo, compliance means ensuring that all employees abide by applicable regulations and internal rules.
Our Code of Conduct
Responsibility is of central importance both to us as a company and to all our employees. Our Code of Conduct sets out our standards and provides a guideline for all Tchibo employees worldwide. The Tchibo Code of Conduct contains 13 basic rules for our cooperation and dealings with business partners. Tchibo employees worldwide are committed to ethical business practices, fair conduct and full compliance with all laws. Downloadlink Tchibo Code of Conduct
Whistleblowing System
In order to maintain our integrity and live up to our self-imposed commitment, we want to and must become aware of violations of laws and non-compliance with the voluntary commitments we have entered into.
This enables us to counteract compliance violations. In this way, we take care of our company, our employees, our customers and the employees along the entire supply chain.
Our digital whistleblowing system BKMS is a protected, secure and independent reporting channel for our employees as well as for our customers, suppliers, business partners and other external stakeholders. The platform is accessible 24/7.
Click here to access the digital whistleblower portal BKMS: https://www.bkms-system.com/tchibo-en
More information on the whistleblowing process:
What types of complaints can the whistleblower system be used for?
You can use our digital whistleblower system to report to us information regarding your own or others' misconduct and violations of legal regulations or internal company rules. Information may relate, for example, to
· Corruption, conflicts of interest
· Unfair competition, violation of cartel law
· Fraud, embezzlement, theft, etc.
· Money laundering, financing of terrorism
· Breach of data protection
· Violation of social standards or labour laws
· Violation of human rights, ecological standards in the supply chain
· Other breach of internal policies or applicable law.
Can I submit a report anonymously?
Reports can be made anonymously. As long as you do not enter any personal data, your anonymity is technically protected by the digital whistleblower portal. In this case, we recommend that you set up a secure postbox. This will allow the case manager to contact you if they have any questions and to provide you with feedback.
Who handles the reports?
Reports are forwarded by BKMS to the Compliance Committee, which steers the handling of the report. Depending on the content of a report, other departments may be involved (e.g. Data Protection). Every report will be investigated. All information is treated strictly confidentially.
Reports concerning Tchibo entities are - depending on local requirements - forwarded directly by BKMS or by the Compliance Committee to the unit responsible for handling them in the local Tchibo entity.
Information regarding human rights violations or violations of ecological standards in the supply chain are forwarded to the Grievance Office at the Sustainability Department and processed by it. on how the Grievance Office deals with reports on human rights violations or violations of environmental standards in the supply chain can be found at https://www.tchibo-nachhaltigkeit.de/en/grievances.
What happens after I have filed a report?
All incoming reports are reviewed and processed by trained independent employees. If you have set up a mailbox via the BKMS system, you will be given prompt confirmation that we have received your report. In some cases, the case manager may also contact you with further questions about the issue.
Further information on how the Grievance Office deals with reports on human rights violations or violations of environmental standards in the supply chain can be found at https://www.tchibo-nachhaltigkeit.de/en/grievances
What happens during the investigation process?
We follow up on all reports that we receive. Confidential treatment of the information you provide is very important to us. This is why we involve as few people as possible in the investigation.
If our investigation confirms that a compliance violation has been committed, we will take appropriate measures.
We may have to pass on the information you have reported to public bodies in cases in which this is required.
How will I know the outcome of my report?
If you have set up a secure postbox in our whistleblowing system or if you have given us other contact information, we will provide feedback on the outcome of our investigation. We ask for your understanding that we cannot share any details, since we also have to protect the privacy rights of the people accused.
How will I be protected from disadvantage and retaliation as a result of a report?
Your protection begins by limiting the group of persons involved in the investigation to the absolute minimum necessary. Any retaliatory action against persons who, to the best of their knowledge, provide information about compliance violations is prohibited. If you have any indication that you are suffering disadvantage or retaliation as a result of your report, please report this to us through our whistleblowing system.
However, people who knowingly make false or misleading reports, must be prepared for consequences.