QBE Group Whistleblowing Policy
We strive to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where people feel safe to speak up. We are committed to protecting reporters who do speak up, including from being subjected to detrimental treatment.
We encourage the reporting of suspected or actual wrongdoing, which the reporter reasonably believes has occurred, is ongoing, or likely to occur – we call this Reportable Conduct. For example, a breach of law, dishonest or corrupt conduct, fraud, and misuse of information.
The Group Whistleblowing Policy (‘Policy’) outlines the principles for our approach to managing disclosures of Reportable Conduct, explains the various channels which exist for reporting, and protections for those who speak up. The appendices provide location specific information where needed, including any qualifying criteria or requirements.
One of the channels for reporting concerns is the Ethics Hotline. This service enables ongoing confidential communication between a reporter and the QBE individual managing the report, including where it has been made anonymously.
Australian whistleblower protection laws:
Reporters connected with any Australian QBE entity, such as employees, officers, and suppliers of any of QBE’s Australian entities, should also refer to Appendix B of the Policy, ‘Whistleblowing laws – Australian entities’, for information about criteria and protections under Australian whistleblower laws.
European whistleblowing laws:
The concept of what constitutes whistleblowing has been defined differently across Europe and reporters based in Europe should refer to the EO Whistleblowing Appendix for country-specific guidance.