Fresenius

 

Grievance Procedure & Handling

We value open communication and strive to create an environment in which patients, employees, members of local communities, business partners, or other potentially affected persons can report human rights violations or non-compliance with environmental regulations. To this end, we have set up whistleblower systems.

Process for handling and investigating reports

The following graphic illustrates the steps for processing reports, starting from the acknowledgment of receipt to the feedback provided to the person filing the report, using the example of two fictional protagonists: Kate and Aditi.*

*The persons and stories depicted in this image are purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental and unintentional.

  • 1 – Confirmation of receipt

    Kate reports a suspicion of possible misconduct through the grievance mechanism. Aditi, a specially trained member of our Business Integrity Team, receives the report and confirms its receipt.

  • 2 – Pre-Assessment

    Aditi carefully reviews the received report for plausibility and completeness. She contacts Kate to obtain additional information, if needed.

  • 3 – Preparation

    Following the initial assessment, Aditi determines that the report contains indications of a potential compliance incident related to human rights. She then defines the objective and scope of the investigation and formally issues the mandate to proceed with the investigation. Subsequently, she hands over the case to the responsible investigation team to clarify the incident.

  • 4 – Investigation

    The investigation team analyzes the facts and evaluates the underlying processes to identify potential weaknesses. It ensures that the investigation is conducted confidentially, fairly, objectively, and proportionately. All collected information, as well as the insights derived from it, are carefully documented and summarized by the investigation team.

  • 5 – Remediation

    Based on the results of the investigation, the responsible department decides which actions need to be taken to prevent similar violations in the future. These may include personnel measures as well as the introduction of process adjustments. The responsible department ensures that all corrective actions are appropriate and monitors their timely implementation. The investigation team, led by Aditi, documents this process.

  • 6 – Feedback to the reporter

    Once the investigation is concluded, Kate receives feedback on the status of the investigation and the actions taken - naturally, in compliance with confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Additional information on our grievance mechanisms and the protection of whistleblowers can be found in the process descriptions of the respective companies:

Fresenius SE:
https://www.fresenius.com/grievance-mechanism

Fresenius Kabi:
https://www.fresenius-kabi.com/responsibility/business-ethics

Fresenius Helios:
https://www.helios-gesundheit.de/menschenrechte

Quirónsalud: 
https://www.quironsalud.com/en/group/whistleblowing-channel
 

Help us do the right thing!

Have you ever had the feeling that something isn’t quite right? Perhaps you noticed something that shouldn’t be the way it is, or you yourself were affected by such a situation. That’s when it’s time to report a grievance.

Watch the video to find out how to report a grievance, to learn why reporting grievances is so important, and to see what happens to a report after you submit it.

Your information counts!

Reports received with human rights relevance in the reporting year 2024

The metrics describe the reports received through our reporting systems in the reporting year that were related to human rights – broken down into those affected in our own operations and those in our value chain. Of the 28 reports received, 4 were violations of working hours and rest breaks, remuneration and occupational health and safety. 

No report was related to a severe human rights violation in the upstream or downstream value chain or in our own operations.1

Own operations Value chain

Reports received with human rights relevance

25 3

Of which are violations

4 -

Of which are severe human rights violations 

 - -

  • 1Severe human rights violation include incidents of forced labor, incidents of human trafficking, incidents of child labor as well incidents involving a large number of people or affecting a large area. This categorization is based, for example, on the definitions of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

    The Group-wide Sustainability Report 2024 (CSRD Report) contains detailed information on the substantiated cases and the remedial and preventive measures implemented in the chapters “Own workforce” and “Workers in the value chain”.

Consideration of the interest of those affected

At Fresenius, we attach great importance to taking appropriate account of the interests of whistleblowers and those of potentially affected persons in the processing of reports. We achieve this through a transparent, fair and comprehensive examination of all incoming complaints by specially trained staff.

Our aim is to ensure that the concerns of those affected are taken seriously and processed in accordance with the applicable legal and internal company requirements. In doing so, we ensure that all relevant information and perspectives are included in the decision-making process to find a balanced and appropriate solution.

Through feedback from those affected, we analyze how our process is accepted in practice and where there is potential for optimization. This input is incorporated into the further development of our processes to ensure that the interests of those affected are taken into account even better in future.
 

Review and further development of our complaints procedure

The results of our risk analysis and the findings on potential target groups of our grievance and whistleblower channels are incorporated into the further development of our grievance mechanism and the processing of respective reports. Based on our findings, we review the effectiveness of the procedure on an annual basis, or more frequently if required. Where necessary, we make appropriate adjustments and changes with regard to accessibility and process.

Human Rights at Fresenius

Our Human Rights Program

Further Information

Group-wide Governance & Responsibilities Risk Analysis & Impact Preventive & Remedial Action

Contact

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Else-Kröner-Str. 1
61352 Bad Homburg
Germany

humanrights@fresenius.com

Human Rights Program

Our Human Rights Program Group-wide Governance & Responsibilities Risk Analysis & Impact Preventive & Remedial Action

You want to file a report?

Reports on possible human rights violations or other types of compliance violations can be reported around the clock, either anonymously or by name, via our whistleblower system*: 

Whistleblower system
EthicsPoint - Fresenius Group

By telephone*
+49 (0) 800 181 1338

By mail
Fresenius SE & Co. KGgaA Business Integrity 
Else-Kröner-Str. 1 
61352 Bad Homburg v.d.H. Deutschland 

By e-mail:
humanrights@fresenius.com 

* The prices of your mobile or landline contract apply.