Compliance and Whistleblowing at Lidl GB
We’re aware of a scam affecting several UK retailers, where criminals use stolen card details – often obtained through phishing – to buy gift cards via mobile payment. As an industry, we’re working with the police and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, and additional in-store checks are in place. If you spot a transaction that you don’t recognise, we highly recommend contacting your bank as soon as possible for support and further guidance, as they will be able to help dispute the charge and secure your account. Additionally, we encourage you to report this incident to Action Fraud.
1 Overview
It is a central principle of Lidl GB that we comply with all applicable laws and internal guidelines. The company observes and maintains the highest levels of corporate governance and implements control frameworks to ensure compliance with its obligations within the global community. We take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of corruption.
Download Rules Of Conduct To view the PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Anti-Corruption
Lidl GB strictly prohibits all forms of bribery, fraud and other forms of corruption to win or retain business or influence any business decisions. Our colleagues, contractors and other business partners are prohibited from offering, providing and accepting anything of value, either directly or indirectly with a view of obtaining or retaining business, or to gain an improper business advantage. All forms of fraud are also strictly prohibited.
Business Partner Compliance
We have a stringent Business Partner Compliance process in place to ensure potential business partners are vetted, in accordance with our internal due diligence requirement and legal obligations. This ensures that Lidl GB enters into relationships with business partners who meet our commercial and ethical requirements.
We foster an open and honest culture and encourage our colleagues, business partners and third parties to speak up and report any potential compliance breaches.
Tax
Lidl GB ensures that it properly accounts for taxes and pays the right amounts according to tax legislation in force. Click here to see our UK Tax Strategy
2 What can I report to Compliance?
As a responsible company, it is of the greatest importance to us to be able to identify and counteract potential serious misconduct as early as possible. We provide a number of channels through which employees, business partners and members of the public can raise such concerns.
Members of the public, employees and business partners are especially invited to raise genuine concerns relating to:
- A criminal offence: e.g. bribery, high value theft, fraud, competition law breach.
- Modern slavery: e.g. human trafficking and forced labour under threat of punishment with no option to resign
- Someone’s health and safety being in danger: e.g. serious supplier concerns posing a threat to public health.
- Risk, or actual damage, to the environment: e.g. illegal disposal of hazardous products or waste
- Conflicts of interests involving companies that Lidl works with i.e. “business partners”.
- Someone is covering up any of the above.
3 How to raise concerns with Compliance
You can raise a concern about a serious breach of law using any of the following channels.
- Confidential online reporting system
- Email: Compliance@lidl.co.uk
- Post: Lidl GB Compliance, Lidl Great Britain Limited, 14 Kingston Road, Surbiton, KT5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Speak to our partner law firm, Russell Cooke LLP - Telephone hotline: +44 (0)20 3826 7540 Email: Lidl.GB@russell-cooke.co.uk Post: Matt Bosworth, Russell Cooke LLP, 8 Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4BX, United Kingdom
Your report will be treated confidentially, and you may remain anonymous if you would prefer. Please state this in your report.
Please note that we will forward any misdirected reports, including your contact details if provided, to the relevant department to consider in accordance with applicable law and Lidl GB policy.