1 General information
1.1 Legal basis
The legal basis for the whistleblower protection provisions in EU Member States is EU Directive No 2019/1937 of 23 October 2019 („Whistleblowing Directive“). Each EU Member State is obliged to transpose the provisions of the Whistleblowing Directive into its national law. In Austria, the Whistleblowing Directive has been implemented through the Protection of Whistleblowers Act (HinweisgeberInnenschutzgesetz , HschG). This Whistleblowing Policy applies to all companies in the HEAD Group to which the Whistleblowing Directive applies (each, a „Company“).
1.2 Definitions
Whistleblower: Natural persons who report or disclose information about a suspected Violation obtained in connection with their work activities.
Violation: An act or omission that is unlawful or contrary to the object or purpose of national legislation or regulation, directly applicable EU law or company policy.
Reprisals: Direct or indirect acts or omissions in a professional context that are triggered by a report or disclosure of a suspected Violation and that cause or may cause unjustified disadvantage to the Whistleblower.
1.3 Reportable violations
Reports may be made which relate to matters, including the following:
Financial services, financial products, financial markets, and the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing;
Product safety and compliance;
Transport safety;
Protection of the environment;
Consumer protection; and
Protection of privacy and personal data, and the security of network and information systems.
The reporting system serves exclusively to receive and process reports of actual or alleged Violations. In particular, it is not available for general complaints („grievance box“) or for product and warranty inquiries.
1.4 Principles
Whistleblowers may be employees of a Company (including part-time and temporary employees) but also applicants, interns, self-employed persons and all persons working for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers of a Company.Whistleblowers must report Violations in good faith, ie there must be reasonable grounds at the time of the report to believe that the information about the reported Violation is correct. Concrete knowledge of an actual Violation is not necessary - reasonable suspicions/concerns are sufficient.Intentionally false reports are unacceptable and entitle the Company to take action against the reporting person. False reports can have negative consequences for the reporting person and may lead to him or her being held liable for damage suffered as a result of the false report.Whistleblowers are protected from Reprisals, such as dismissal, negative performance reviews, termination of fixed-term employment contracts, claims for damages, harassment, discrimination etc, on the basis of justified reports. Whistleblowers have the option of remaining anonymous. The report must be treated confidentially if requested.