Corporate Responsiblity
Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH & Co. KG with its general partner, Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Holtzbrinck"), carefully investigates reports of potential misconduct. Holtzbrinck has established an internal reporting office to enable you to report observed or suspected compliance violations as well as misconduct within the Holtzbrinck supply chain.
In doing so, we are also complying with the legal requirements of the German Whistleblower Protection Act (Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz, HinSchG) and the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG). Both laws share a common goal: to protect individuals who report misconduct and to ensure that companies take responsibility, even beyond their own corporate boundaries.
You have the option of submitting reports in the following categories:
Compliance violation:
- Illegal business practices such as corruption, fraud and other economic offences
- Antitrust offences
- Harassment and discrimination
- Rights and protection of employees
- Breaches of confidentiality provisions
- Violations of professional law and professional standards
- Violations of our internal guidelines
- Conflict of interest
Misconduct in the supply chain:
- Human rights and environmental risks
- Violation of human rights and environmental obligations
Your report will be handled exclusively by an independent internal office that is bound by strict confidentiality obligations. If you would like to be kept informed about the progress of your report, you may provide an email address - including an anonymous one that does not reveal your identity. In this case, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt within seven days and, within three months, a response regarding how your report was handled.
We take every report seriously and protect you from retaliation. Any form of discrimination against individuals who contact us in good faith is expressly prohibited at Holtzbrinck.