BAT WCA - Our Standards of Business Conduct

Our Standards of Business Conduct express the high standards of business integrity that we require from our employees worldwide. As such, they play a key role in the BAT Group strategy.

Together with our Statement of Business Principles, our Standards of Business Conduct underpin our commitment to high standards of corporate behaviour. While the Statement of Business Principles sets out our beliefs and values as an organisation, our Standards of Business Conduct provide guidance on workplace situations, based on those values and principles.

Our Standards of Business Conduct have been in place for many years and are kept under review to ensure they remain at the forefront of best business practice. Every Group company and all staff worldwide are expected to abide by them and to ensure our business standards are never compromised for the sake of results.

We have also introduced an SoBC Assurance Procedure, which complements our SoBC by setting out in more detail how allegations of wrongdoing or breach of the SoBC should be followed up to ensure that they are dealt with fairly and objectively.

Confidential Speak Up procedures

The Group’s Speak Up policy contained within our Standards enables staff to speak up and raise concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing or breaches of our Standards, and to do so without fear of reprisal.

Raising concerns and reporting

Staff can raise concerns with their line manager, HR or one of the Group’s Designated Officers. Alternatively, they can use our confidential, independently managed, external Speak Up channels via telephone or online. Our Speak Up channels are available 24 hours a day in local languages and are highlighted in our internal trainings and communications.

[Our business partners are also welcomed to report their concerns and can do so via our Speak Up portal, the details of which are available to suppliers.]

The Audit Committee receives regular reports on whistleblowing and remains satisfied that the policy and procedures in place incorporate arrangements for the proportionate and independent investigation of matters raised and for the appropriate follow-up action.

The link to our Speak Up whistleblowing portal is available on:
www.bat.com/speakup 

Compliance

All Group companies have adopted our Standards of Business Conduct or local policies embodying them. Information on compliance with the Standards is gathered at a global level and reported quarterly to the Audit Committee. For more information, including compliance figures, see Our Standards of Business Conduct compliance.

For more information on our reviewed and updated Standards of Business Conduct  and what our Standard covers, please refer to our global page here.