Discrimination
Discrimination covers situations where a person is treated differently from others without legitimate reason, in particular because of their race sex, religion, political opinions, social or national origins, age, disability, a trade union membership/affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Harassment
Harassment refers to unwanted and repeated behaviour that is intimidating, offensive, or hostile, creating an uncomfortable or distressing environment for the victim. It can occur in various settings, such as the workplace, schools, public spaces, or online platforms. Harassment can take many forms, including verbal, physical, or digital actions.
Gender-based and sexual violence (including sexual harassment)
Gender-based and sexual violence encompass a range of harmful behaviours inflicted on individuals based on their gender or sexuality. Sexual violence involves any unwanted sexual act or behaviour, including rape, sexual assault and sexual coercion. Gender-based violence refers to violence that targets individuals because of their gender identity or perceived roles in society. This can include domestic violence, forced marriage, and honour killings. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment.
Violation of Human Rights or Fundamental freedoms
Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms refers to actions or situations where individuals or groups are denied their basic rights and freedoms, as recognised by international human rights standards (such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). These violations can include discrimination and the denial of freedom of speech or expression.
Disrespectful behaviour and insults towards others
All forms of action which have the motivation or the effect of undermining the physical or psychological wellbeing of others.
Corruption / Influence peddling
Corruption generally means any action done by someone with the further intention of soliciting or accepting an undue financial or non-financial advantage, intending to offer, promise, grant, omit or delay an action relating to his duties for the benefit of a third party.
Influence peddling refers to the occurrence of someone receiving – or soliciting – an undue favour from a third party in order to make said third party benefit from his influence, whether real or assumed, with a fourth party so that this fourth party makes a decision favouring the third one.
Conflict of interest
Conflicts of interest refered to any situation in which a personal interest unconnected with the company in which an Employee works, might influence or appear to influence the position, decision or action that the Employee is going to take on behalf of the company.
Money laundering / Financial fraud / Falsification of accounting or financial documents
Money laundering is the illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained through criminal activity by converting it into legitimate assets or transactions.
Fraud is a deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful financial gain, often involving false information, misrepresentation, or concealment of facts.
Falsification of documents refers to the wrongful presentation or justification of documents for financial or accounting purposes. Weak financial and accounting controls are commonly targeted.
Asset misappropriation
Asset misappropriation refers to the theft or misuse of an organisation's funds, assets or commercially sensitive information (including intellectual property) often for personal gain.
Anti-competitive practices
Anti-competitive practices are actions taken by businesses to limit or eliminate competition in a market, typically to maintain or increase their market power unfairly. Examples include price-fixing, monopolisation, exclusive dealing agreements and bid-rigging.
Environmental law infringement
Environmental law infringements occurs when individuals, organisations, or entities violate laws and regulations established to protect the environment. This can include actions such as pollution, illegal dumping, habitat destruction, or failure to comply with environmental permits or standards, or ‘greenwashing’ (i.e. false or misleading claims of sustainable strategies and commitments).
Health and safety, infringement
Health and safety infringements refer to the lack of safety instructions or measures and situations of non-compliance with applicable health, and safety regulations.
Labour law infringement / Illegal or Ghost employment
Illegal employment refers to work activities that escape mandatory registration and disclosure requirements.
Ghost employment refers to a fraudulent practice where an individual receives payment for a job they either do not perform or for which they are significantly overcompensated. In essence, the person is on the payroll but does little to no actual work
Privacy law infringement
Privacy law infringement refers to the violation of laws or regulations that protect individuals' rights to control their personal information. Examples include unauthorised surveillance, data breaches, identity theft and dissemination of private information without consent.
Other unethical practices
Other unethical practices which cover any actual or apparent violation of law or regulation, as well as any threat or serious harm to public interest
