Whistleblower Policy
The Belgian Whistleblower Act of 28 November 2022 requires companies with 50 or more employees to provide a channel to report wrongdoing and fraud. This Act follows the Belgian transposition of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive.Â
In response to this legislation, Brewery Lindemans has put in place the relevant steps to facilitate a legally required reporting channel.
Who can report?Â
This channel is intended for persons who obtained information in a work-related context, such as (for example) employees, former employees, job applicants, contractors, suppliers, customers, business partners, and other collaborators.
What can you report?Â
You can report information about suspected or actual wrongdoing, fraud, or breaches of applicable laws and regulations that occurred within (or in relation to) Lindemans in a professional context. Â
For product quality complaints, please use our dedicated quality complaint form. Â
How to report internally at Lindemans
You can submit a report:Â
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By email: integrity@lindemans.be Â
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Orally (optional): you may request a phone call or an in-person meeting by emailing integrity@lindemans.be (we will propose practical arrangements).Â
What to include in your report (recommended):Â
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What happened (facts as clearly as possible)Â
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When and where it happenedÂ
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Who was involved (if known)Â
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Any supporting documents or evidence (if available)Â
What happens after you report?Â
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Acknowledgement of receipt: within 7 calendar days (unless you did not provide contact details). Â
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Impartial follow-up: our report manager investigates and processes each report without bias. Â
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Feedback: within 3 months after receipt, we will inform you of the follow-up steps taken (and, where possible, the outcome). Â
Confidentiality, anonymity and protection
Your confidentiality and protection as the reporter are essential components of this legislation. Every report will be treated in the strictest confidence. Access to reports is limited to authorised persons involved in receiving and following up the report.Â
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Confidentiality: our report manager will not disclose your identity beyond the authorised persons handling the report, unless required by law. Â
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Anonymity: you may report anonymously if you choose not to identify yourself. Please note that anonymous reporting may limit how we can ask follow-up questions. Â
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No retaliation: you will not be disadvantaged in any way as a result of a report made in accordance with the Whistleblower Act. Â
If you prefer to report externally
You can also make an external report to an authority independent of Lindemans. In the private sector, the Federal Ombudsman acts as the federal coordinator for external reports and can assess admissibility and forward your report to the competent authority where appropriate. Â
You can use the Federal Ombudsman’s whistleblower reporting form [link here]. Â
Data protection
We process personal data in the context of whistleblower reports solely for the purpose of receiving, investigating and following up the report, and to comply with legal obligations.
For more information, please consult our Privacy & Cookie Policy.Â
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