General Information
Where we refer to the “Company” in this Policy, it means Downforce Technologies Limited (DTL) (the Company).
This Policy applies to all individuals working at all locations, levels and grades at the Company, including officers, directors, employees (whether permanent, fixed or temporary), consultants, contractors, seconded staff, internship staff and agency staff (collectively referred to as “Colleagues”). This Policy also applies to all Colleagues of other group companies who work at the Company’s premises, whether on secondment or otherwise.
The Company may review, amend or withdraw this policy at any time and without prior notice.
Purpose
We are committed to conducting our business with honesty and integrity, and all of our Colleagues and representatives are expected to maintain high standards. Any suspected wrongdoing should be reported as soon as possible.
What is Whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing or dangers in relation to DTL’s activities. This includes bribery, fraud, other criminal activity, breaches of competition law, miscarriages of justice, health and safety risks, damage to the environment and any other breach of legal obligations.
How to Raise a Concern
Before whistleblowing, where you feel comfortable doing so, you should raise any concerns you have with your line manager. You can also contact the Leadership Team to discuss your concerns.
Where you do not wish to raise it with your line manager for any reason, or after raising it with your line manager you still have concerns and wish to report them, you should whistleblow.
You can whistleblow by reporting the matter in detail to board@downforce.tech.
Anonymous disclosures
Completely anonymous disclosures are difficult to investigate. We therefore hope you will feel able to reveal your identity when whistleblowing under this policy. This will allow us to ask further questions and to investigate matters fully.
All efforts will be made to protect the privacy of whistleblowers. However, the Company may be required to reveal the identity of a whistleblower if the Company is involved in an investigation.
Investigation Process
Where enough information is provided to do so, the Company’s intention is to investigate fully and resolve all genuine disclosures.
The Company may use its own legal personnel to investigate, involve auditors and/or involve professional advisors from outside the Company.
Where you reveal your identity we will make every effort only to reference your identity if it is necessary to do so when investigating and resolving the concerns raised. If we need to meet with you to discuss your concern, you may bring another colleague with you to the meeting. Each of you will be asked to respect the confidentiality of your disclosure and the investigation.
Protection for Whistleblowers
If you whistleblow in accordance with this policy, you will not suffer any detrimental treatment or victimisation as a result of raising a genuine concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform one of the Company representatives listed above immediately. If the matter is not remedied, you should raise it formally using the Company’s Grievance Procedure.
No person may threaten or retaliate against whistleblowers in any way. If an individual is involved in such conduct, they may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Third party disclosures
Although we recognise that in some circumstances it may be appropriate for you to report your concerns to an external body such as a regulator, we strongly encourage you to seek advice from the Company first before reporting a concern to anyone outside of the Company.
False allegations
We aim to encourage openness and we will support whistleblowers who raise genuine concerns under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken.
However, if we conclude that a whistleblower has made false allegations maliciously or with a view to personal gain, the whistleblower may be subject to disciplinary action.
Further information
Please contact the DTL Board at board@downforce.tech if you have any questions in relation to this policy.