Whistleblower Policy

We aim to conduct our business with high standards of honesty and integrity, and we expect all staff,
contractors and suppliers to maintain these standards. We therefore encourage all individuals to raise any
concerns that they may have about the conduct of others across our business or the way in which the
business is run. A culture of openness and accountability is essential in addressing any issues if and when
they do occur.

The aims of this policy are:

  • To encourage reporting of suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible, in the knowledge that your
    concerns will be taken seriously and investigated as appropriate, and that your confidentiality will be
    respected.
  • To provide guidance as to how to raise any concerns.
  • To provide reassurance that genuine concerns can be raised without fear of reprisals, even if those
    concerns turn out to be mistaken.

What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the disclosure of information which relates to suspected wrongdoing, unethical or illegal
behaviour. This may include:

  •  Criminal activity
  • Miscarriages of justice
  • Danger to health and safety
  • Damage to the environment
  • Failure to comply with any legal obligation or regulatory requirements.
  • Financial fraud or mismanagement
  • Negligence
  • Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information
  • Actions in breach of our Sustainability Charter
  • Deliberate concealment of any of the matters outlined in it or above.

A whistle-blower is a person who raises a genuine concern relating to any of the above. If you have any genuine concerns related to a whistleblowing issue you should report it under this policy. You have legal protection for raising a ‘qualifying concern’. This policy must not be used for complaints relating to your own personal circumstances, such matters should be addressed separately, for example through Talon’s Grievance Procedure as they are deemed unprotected
disclosures. This policy covers protected disclosures only. Raising a whistleblowing concern You can raise your concern by contacting whistleblowng@talonooh.com. We will arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss your concern. You may bring a work colleague to any meetings under this policy however they must respect the confidentiality of your disclosure and any subsequent investigation. We will take down a written summary of your concern and provide you with a copy after the meeting. We will also aim to give you an indication of how we propose to deal with the matter. If you make a protected disclosure, you have the right not to be subjected to any other detriment, or victimised, because you have made a disclosure. Any matter raised under this policy will be investigated thoroughly, promptly and confidentially, and the outcome of the investigation reported back to whoever raised the issue.

Confidentiality

We hope that you will feel able to voice whistleblowing concerns openly under this policy. However, if you want to raise your concern confidentially, we will make every effort to keep your identity secret. If it is necessary for anyone investigating your concern to know your identity, we will discuss this with you. Whistle-blowers who are concerned about possible reprisals if their identity is revealed should come forward to Talon’s People Team and appropriate measures can then be taken to preserve confidentiality.