Compliance, Whistleblowing and Confidentiality
Global Surveys Group promotes ethical conduct, confidential reporting, whistleblower protection, impartiality, and the secure handling of client and business information.
Global Surveys Group is committed to conducting business with integrity, transparency, accountability, impartiality, and respect for applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and professional obligations.
Employees, clients, suppliers, partners, contractors, and other stakeholders may raise concerns about misconduct or suspected violations through the Group’s official reporting channels. Reports are reviewed responsibly, handled confidentially, and protected from retaliation when submitted in good faith.
The program also establishes clear principles for protecting confidential information, client data, inspection records, complaints, investigations, and other sensitive information handled through Global Surveys activities.
Global Surveys Compliance Program
The Global Surveys compliance program provides a structured framework for ethical behavior, responsible business conduct, confidential reporting, information protection, impartiality, and appropriate response to suspected violations.
We support honest conduct and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, policies, and professional obligations.
We protect client information, inspection records, business data, and other sensitive information throughout their lifecycle.
Confidential information must never be used to influence inspection outcomes, compromise impartiality, or create an unfair advantage.
Stakeholders are encouraged to report suspected misconduct through the official compliance channels without fear of retaliation.
Your voice matters. By speaking up in good faith, you help Global Surveys Group protect integrity, accountability, trust, and responsible business conduct.
Whistleblowing Procedure
The whistleblowing procedure allows employees and external stakeholders to report suspected misconduct, unethical behavior, regulatory violations, or other compliance concerns through official channels. Each report is assessed fairly and escalated for investigation or corrective action when required.
What Can Be Reported?
You may report concerns related to the following areas:
Dishonest, corrupt, deceptive, or otherwise improper conduct.
Improper transactions, misuse of funds, falsification, or other financial concerns.
Conditions or practices that may endanger employees, contractors, clients, or the public.
Suspected breaches of environmental requirements or irresponsible environmental practices.
Concerns involving human rights, labor practices, discrimination, exploitation, or worker protection.
Conduct that may violate applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, or professional obligations.
Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or protection from sexual exploitation and abuse concerns.
Unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, alteration, corruption, or misuse of confidential information.
Unfair treatment or retaliation against a person who raises a concern in good faith.
How to Report a Concern
Concerns may be reported confidentially through the official Global Surveys compliance channels below. Include sufficient factual information to support an effective assessment, while avoiding unnecessary disclosure of sensitive personal or client information.
Submit a Confidential Compliance Report
Contact the Compliance Team to report suspected misconduct, unethical behavior, retaliation, confidentiality breaches, or regulatory violations involving Global Surveys Group.
Email the Compliance TeamAnonymous Reporting
Global Surveys Group accepts anonymous reports where the selected reporting channel permits this. Providing contact details is optional; however, it may help the Compliance Team request clarification and provide appropriate follow-up. Anonymous reports are assessed based on the information and evidence available.
Confidentiality and Whistleblower Protection
Compliance reports are handled on a strict need-to-know basis. Global Surveys Group protects individuals who report concerns honestly and in good faith from retaliation, intimidation, discrimination, or other unfair treatment.
Confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent reasonably possible, subject to legal obligations, procedural fairness, the need to investigate, and the protection of affected parties.
Confidentiality and Information Protection
Global Surveys Group is committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information, client data, inspection records, complaints, investigations, and confidential business information obtained, created, stored, transmitted, or processed through its operations.
Where the confidentiality status of information is uncertain, it is treated as confidential by default and handled using appropriate controls under the Group’s Information Security Management System.
Inspection reports, findings, technical records, photographs, measurements, sample data, and results are treated as confidential and remain client property unless otherwise required by law or agreed in writing.
Access is restricted to authorized personnel who require the information to perform their assigned duties, based on the need-to-know principle.
Confidential information is protected against unauthorized access, alteration, loss, or misuse and is securely retained and disposed of according to defined requirements.
Where disclosure is legally or contractually required, only the minimum necessary information is disclosed, records are maintained, and the concerned party is notified unless prohibited by law.
Information relating to complaints, appeals, impartiality risks, investigations, and corrective actions is restricted to authorized personnel involved in resolution and oversight.
Employees, inspectors, contractors, subcontractors, agents, suppliers, partners, and service providers are subject to confidentiality obligations that continue after the relationship ends.
Security incident reporting: Any unauthorized disclosure, loss, alteration, corruption, or misuse of confidential information must be reported immediately through the appropriate internal or compliance channel. Deliberate or negligent violations may result in disciplinary or contractual action.
What Happens After You Submit a Report?
The Compliance Team follows a documented review process designed to support fairness, confidentiality, appropriate escalation, and timely action.
Receipt is acknowledged when contact information is available and communication is appropriate.
The concern is reviewed to determine its nature, credibility, urgency, and required handling.
A fair, impartial, and appropriately confidential investigation is conducted where required.
Corrective, disciplinary, contractual, control, or escalation measures are taken when justified.
Appropriate feedback is provided where possible, subject to confidentiality and legal limitations.
Our Commitment to Ethics and Integrity
Global Surveys Group values the courage required to speak up and recognizes the importance of protecting confidential information entrusted to the organization. Every good-faith report and every responsible information-handling practice contributes to trust, impartiality, accountability, and professional service delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Global Surveys compliance program cover?
The program covers ethical conduct, whistleblowing, confidential reporting, whistleblower protection, impartiality, information protection, investigation, and corrective action.
What concerns can I report?
You may report fraud, bribery, corruption, financial misconduct, health and safety risks, environmental violations, human rights or labor concerns, legal or regulatory breaches, sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment, confidentiality incidents, information misuse, and retaliation.
Can I report a concern anonymously?
Yes, where the selected reporting channel permits anonymous communication. Providing contact information is optional but may help the Compliance Team clarify the report and provide follow-up.
How does Global Surveys protect whistleblowers?
Reports are handled on a need-to-know basis, and individuals who report honestly and in good faith are protected from retaliation, intimidation, discrimination, and unfair treatment.
How does Global Surveys protect confidential information?
Confidential information is restricted to authorized personnel, protected throughout its lifecycle, retained and disposed of securely, and handled under appropriate information security controls.
When may confidential information be disclosed?
Confidential information may be disclosed where required by law, regulation, contract, accreditation obligation, or written agreement. Only the minimum necessary information is disclosed, and appropriate records are maintained.
What happens after I submit a report?
The Compliance Team assesses the concern, investigates where necessary, supports appropriate corrective or disciplinary action, and provides feedback where possible and legally appropriate.