Portal for Whistleblowers

We are paying attention! – The portal for whistleblowers of the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe

The foundation of our system for whistleblowers: Mission Statement and Code of Conduct

Based on the mission statement of Johanniter, we are committed to a transparent, positive, open, and cooperative organizational culture. Legally compliant, appropriate and integrity-oriented behaviour for our management and supervisory bodies as well as our full-time and voluntary staff is an indisputable foundation of our self-image and our daily work.

The Code of Conduct sets out the values and standards of behaviour that Johanniter International Assistance lives by and expects. Together with the corresponding guidelines, the Code of Conduct forms the regulatory framework that applies to all employees worldwide and must be recognized and adhered to by partner organizations, suppliers and service providers.

Why the whistleblower system exists

To consistently live up to our claim of being a legally compliant organization and to protect our employees in the best possible way, we are also dependent on information if legal violations or legally inadmissible behaviour have occurred within our ranks.

To enable whistleblowers to make such reports in a protected and trustworthy environment, Johanniter has set up a system for whistleblowers. Incidents that occur within the scope of our work abroad can also be reported there.

Possible reasons for reporting

The whistleblower system can be used to report criminal incidents such as theft, fraud or corruption, violations of tax law, labour law or the General Equal Treatment Act, violations of data protection, regulations of the bylaws or internal codes of conduct, as well as incidents of child endangerment or sexualized violence.

Our internal system for whistleblowers is a clear commitment to our special responsibility towards our staff, our partner organizations and the people we want to reach with our projects. It applies in Germany and beyond in all countries where Johanniter International Assistance is active.

Examples of reasons for whistleblowing

Any form of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, exploitation, or abuse (For example, any form of sexual relations with children (defined as people under 18) or project beneficiaries are prohibited).

When private and professional duties lead to a conflict of interest that has not been disclosed by the employee (prohibited are, for example, accepting gifts, political or missionary activities, or favouring friends and relatives in hiring)

Any misappropriation or diversion of funds in the form of corruption, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering or funding of criminal or terrorist groups

General rules for filing a whistleblower report

According to the law, reports can be made to an internal reporting office or to an external ombudsperson. They can be submitted by name, but also anonymously.

Reported violations are processed by a compliance team, which consists of employees who are independent of instructions, professionally experienced and committed to confidentiality.

Details on how to submit a report can be found on the portal for whistleblowers.