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The Fraunhofer Reporting System for irregularities or misconduct

As Europe’s largest organization for applied research and as a non-profit organization, we bear social responsibility. A lawful and value-oriented approach forms the basis of our identity. However, we also need your help to identify any problems. Legal breaches, white-collar crime or serious violations of Fraunhofer regulations can not only cause financial losses but also damage Fraunhofer's reputation, jeopardize funding and, in extreme cases, threaten our existence, including our jobs.

You can report any instances of misconduct related to your current or future professional activities with our secure electronic whistleblowing system (BKMS^® System), known as the Fraunhofer Reporting System. You can do so completely anonymously and without a fear of repercussions at work. The responsible compliance team in the 2C Legal Affairs and Compliance directorate will handle your report. Confidentiality and impartiality have the highest priority. Information is followed up systematically and rigorously.

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Why should I submit a report?: Why should I submit a report?

As the largest organization for applied research in Europe, we have a social responsibility. Compliance with statutory and internal rules is therefore also a natural part of a positive and open organizational culture.

We all share responsibility for the implementation of the principles of conduct at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Perhaps you are aware of damaging behaviour or risks which endanger the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. With your report, you help us avoiding financial or reputation damage and thereby contribute directly to the lasting success of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft!

We want to effectively protect you as whistleblower and offer you here a communication platform secured with the newest technologies to permit the submission of personalized or anonymous reports. You can further set up an anonymous postbox in order to make an active contribution to the solution of the case.

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Which reports help the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft?: Which reports help the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft?
Please report violations of applicable laws and internal rules or principles of conduct, such as criminal offenses (e.g., corruption, fraud, theft, embezzlement, etc.), scientific misconduct, data protection violations or environmental offenses. During the reporting process, you will receive detailed information on what to focus on in your report.

Whistleblowers acting in good faith do not have to fear career reprisals when reporting incidents. “In good faith” means that the whistleblower is convinced that their account is true, regardless of whether a subsequent investigation confirms this or not.

With this in mind, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is grateful for any information. This will be treated as strictly confidential. However, fairness also requires that we take into account the legitimate interests of the employee affected by an allegation. Whistleblowers are therefore encouraged to use the system responsibly.

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How do I submit a report? How can I set up a mailbox?: How do I submit a report? How can I set up a mailbox?
If you would like to submit a report, whether anonymously or with your name, click the “Submit report” button at the top left of our homepage.

There are four steps in the reporting process:

1.     You will first need to read some information on the protection of your anonymity and verify that you are human.

2.     The next page will ask about the focus of your report.

3.     On the reporting page, you can then describe the incident in your own words and answer questions about it by selecting from given answers. You can use up to 5,000 characters for your description. This corresponds to a full page. You can also send .docx or .pdf files (up to 10 MB) to support your report. Remember that documents may contain information about their author. After submitting your report, you will receive a reference number proving that your report has been sent.

4.     Next, please set up your own protected mailbox. We will send updates, request additional information and inform you of the progress of your report via this mailbox.

Setting up a mailbox is voluntary. However, if you do not set up a mailbox, the reporting office will not be able to contact you to request additional information that may be necessary to clarify the facts. This may mean that your report cannot be followed up due to a lack of information.

If you already have a protected mailbox, you can access it by clicking “Login.” You will again be requested to verify that you are human. As long as you do not enter any data that could be used to identify you, the BKMS^® system protects your anonymity. We can assure you that we are only interested in your report. The aim is to uncover grievances and avert financial loss.

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How do I get a response and still remain anonymous?: How do I get a response and still remain anonymous?
The top priority of the BKMS^® process used here is to protect the whistleblower. The preservation of anonymity has been certified by an independent body.

When you set up your protected mailbox, you choose your pseudonym/username and password yourself. Encryption and other specific security routines make sure that your report remains anonymous. You will not be asked for personal details at any time during the reporting process. Do not enter any data that could be used to identify you and do not use a computer provided by Fraunhofer to submit your report.

A member of our staff will contact you via the protected mailbox to let you know what is happening with your report or get back to you if details are unclear. You will remain anonymous during this process as well. We are interested in reports to avert damage, not in you as a whistleblower.

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