Guidance and Compliance

Open communication is at the core of Baxter’s commitment to integrity. Managers are responsible for maintaining an environment that enables employees to safely raise and discuss issues. Baxter encourages employees to seek guidance and report concerns through a number of formal channels (see graphic). Through these channels, Baxter prevents incidents from occurring and addresses issues when they do arise.

One such channel is the Baxter Ethics and Compliance Helpline, a telephone and Web resource available to employees and their families, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders. Callers can report an issue or seek guidance in their local language. Counselors are available in 150 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In 2010, 340 inquiries were logged into the Helpline system. Sixty of these were raised through the Certificate of Integrity and Compliance (COIC) process and 280 through other channels, including the Regional Ethics and Compliance Committees and Corporate Responsibility Office channels. Of the 340 inquiries received, 152 were related to ethics and compliance, and all were addressed.

These inquiries were not all reports of misconduct. Baxter encourages employees to use the Helpline, COIC process and other channels to ask questions and seek advice on these topics. Items identified through these channels also help Ethics and Compliance managers identify key risks, develop appropriate training, and design and apply compliance assessment methodologies.