This policy applies to all Alphonsa Cashew Industries employees, and to members of the management, agents, consultants, contract labor, and others when they are representing or acting for, or on behalf of, Alphonsa Cashew Industries.
Alphonsa Cashew Industries is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of harassment, intimidation, discrimination and retaliation for engaging in protected activity such as reporting violations or participating in an investigation pertaining to alleged violations of laws, the Code, policies, or procedures. Crucial to these objectives is promoting an atmosphere where employees and others feel safe to engage in frank, honest communication – raising questions or concerns at any time without fear of retaliation.
Alphonsa Cashew Industries strictly prohibits any form of retaliatory action against employees who raise issues or ask questions, make reports, participate in an investigation, refuse to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activities including, but are not limited to the following:
Discrimination or harassment
Fraud
Unethical or unprofessional business conduct
Non-compliance with Alphonsa Cashew Industries’ policies/procedures, including the Code of Conduct
Real or potential threats to Alphonsa Cashew Industries’s workers or the public’s health and/or safety
Violations of local, state or national laws and regulations
Other illegal or improper practices or policies
Protection from retaliation
Employees reporting a Whistleblowing event in good faith, based upon a reasonable belief, are protected from discrimination, harassment or retaliation of any kind for making the report.
No employee may demote, discharge, harass, suspend, threaten, or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee for raising issues or asking questions, making reports, participating in an investigation, refuse to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activities.
Alphonsa Cashew Industries prohibits retaliation even if the concerns raised are not confirmed following an investigation. However, an employee may be subject to strict disciplinary actions if the employee knowingly made a false allegation, provided false or misleading information in the course of an investigation, or otherwise acted in bad faith.
Obligation to Raise Concerns
Alphonsa Cashew Industries depends on its employees to raise questions or concerns so that the company can take appropriate action. All employees are required to report any suspicion of improper or wrongful activity.
Reports of suspected improper or wrongful activity will be treated confidentially, and employees have the choice to report concerns anonymously through Integrity Helpline. If submitting a concern anonymously, it is important to provide sufficiently detailed information regarding the subject matter of the concern and identify potential witnesses to enable Alphonsa Cashew Industries to effectively address the concern.
Employees who believe they have either witnessed retaliation or been personally retaliated against or that any other violation of this policy has occurred, or who have questions concerning this policy, must immediately notify the Human Resources Department or the Alphonsa Cashew Industries Integrity Helpline. Employees may also, where appropriate, contact appropriate governmental authorities. Alphonsa Cashew Industries takes all claims of retaliation very seriously and reports will be reviewed promptly and investigated where appropriate.
Consequences for Policy Violation
Any Alphonsa Cashew Industries’ employee who retaliates against an employee engaged in raising issues or asking questions, making reports, participating in an investigation, refuse to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activities or who otherwise violates this policy is subject to strict disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Violations of this Policy by contractors and other authorised third parties may result in the revocation or termination of such party’s contract/relationship with Alphonsa Cashew Industries. In addition, where the conduct engaged in is illegal, violators may be subject to prosecution under applicable Local, State or National laws.
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