Onet deploys a centralised ethics speak-up line with Whispli

In 2020, Onet decided to improve its internal alert system by setting up the Whispli alert platform, which allows direct contact with the whistleblower and the integration of notification letters received (which was their former system). The traditional mail channel did not always guarantee anonymity, confidentiality or efficient management of alerts internally. When Whispli was deployed at Onet, the team visited the company's headquarters in Marseille to meet who would be in charge of the project and to better understand the Group's needs. For Onet, it was necessary to have a secure platform to centralize alerts from different countries while co-managing investigations between several departments.

The deployment of Whispli was led by Laurence Grillet Acerbo, Development Director and President of the Ethics Committee.

In order to manage the flow of alerts and investigate them efficiently, several Group departments have become involved in the process, depending on the type of alert that is received.

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Onet deploys its centralized ethics alert line with Whispli

All the alerts received are subject to an admissibility analysis phase carried out by the Ethics Committee, which already requires a direct exchange with the whistleblower, via the chat box, in order to specify the elements reported.

The case is then assigned to a specific team depending on the issue. Each Group-level referral department then follows the investigation process in order to investigate and handle the case until an action plan is put in place. The Ethics Committee is responsible for closing the case.

This joint management of the system required a flexible tool in its configuration. With its adaptability and versatility, the Whispli platform was able to offer a suitable solution.

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Simplicity and flexibility, the secret of a successful deployment

One of Whispli's strengths was "the simplicity of configuring and using the solution for the various players in the process, as well as the ease of exchange with the person reporting and wishing to remain anonymous," explains Laurence Acerbo. Its implementation and deployment - accompanied by a dedicated Whispli contact person - were simple and quick, with two main objectives:

• Beyond the Sapin II law that was used in France before the new Loi Waserman, Onet wanted to have a professional whistleblower line so that its employees could express themselves, anonymously or not, in the event of any criminal, inappropriate and unprofessional behavior with regard to the principles set forth in Onet's code of ethics.
• These reports needed to be assigned to the relevant experts within the Group for optimal processing.

In order to communicate effectively on the system internally, Onet first launched a communication campaign aimed at management, followed by a broader communication via the Group's intranet and internet sites on the complete ethical system.

To complete this communication, a reminder of the system with a QR code redirecting to the home page of the alert line is added to the pay slips of all French employees at least once a year. This reminder is necessary to familiarize employees with the existence of the system, and all managerial training related to ethics reminds management of this line.

As an international company, it was important for the Onet Group to have an internal whistleblowing system that was easily accessible to employees, not only in France but also in the different countries of operation. Knowing that reporting would be done on an international scale, Onet was specifically looking for:

• An intuitive and modern system not only for whistleblowers but also for case managers.
• A centralization of cases at headquarters to maintain an overview of the Group's ethical climate and to facilitate the management of alerts.
• A system that encourages dialogue between case managers and whistleblowers, regardless of the degree of anonymity desired by the individual and their language.
• Support to make the system known to employees and, consequently, to increase the number of alerts to better manage internal risks.
• A solution that guarantees the Group's compliance with the various laws in force, in particular the new Loi Waserman in France, the RGPD and the transposition of the European directive in the countries where the Group operates.