Whistleblower System

Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at the Rahn Education Group and its affiliated companies (hereinafter referred to as “Rahn Education”). To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. That is why the invesitgation officer operates an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system for us.
 

A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct.

This also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We assure not to perform any steps in order to identify anonymous whistleblowers, who do not misuse our Whistleblower System. Retaliation of whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Rahn Education will not be tolerated. Persons implicated are presumed innocent until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected process.

The qualified and experienced investigation officer examine every report for potential misconduct by a Rahn Education employee thoroughly and follow it up systematically. First, whistleblowers will get a confirmation of receipt. The investigation officer then assesses their report. This includes gathering facts particularly from the whistleblower. Only if this initial evaluation shows grounds for suspicion of a violation an investigation by a dedicated Investigating Unit will be started. Afterward, the results of the investigation will be assessed by the investigation officer and appropriate measures will be recommended. Information about the status* and the outcome of the procedure will be provided without undue delay.

Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office – as well as reports otherwise requiring immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.

The Whistleblower System offers various channels to report potential employee misconduct or potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers in our Supply Chain, that allow a swift review and reaction by our company if necessary.

It is important to make sure the information contained in a report submitted to the Investigation Office is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner.
 

It is helpful if the report covers the following five questions:

Who? What? When? How? Where?

Whistleblowers are asked to make sure that the descriptions contained in a report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in the field. It will be helpful if whistleblowers are available to answer further questions. Persons who are willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the investigation officer.

In case of violations of regulations on data protection, please contact the data protection officer. 

The independent whistleblowing officer is responsible for the content of this page.  

Rahn Education's whistleblowing officer, for contact details see “Making a report to our whistleblowing system: Postal address and in person”.