Code of ethics

The Code of Ethics is a company social responsibility tool, a reference point and a guide for those working for Hera and those interested in pursuing its mission. The Code of Ethics is designed to shape the management of the Group according to the ethical values and operating principles defined in the Charter of Values, to promote unique guidelines for conduct targeted at meeting the needs of stakeholders and consolidating a positive company image.

In 2010, at the end of the experimental three-year period (started in 2008 with publication of the document), the company checked the document was up-to-date, coordinated by the Ethics Committee, the body responsible for the dissemination and implementation of the Code’s contents. In 2013, the company checked again the document was up-to-date.

The third update to the Code of Ethics was approved by the board of Directors of Hera S.p.A on 15 February 2017.

Since 2006 supplier qualification and assessment checks the technical, economic, and organisational quality requirements, compliance with environmental and safety regulations and corporate social responsibility requisites, as well as acceptance of the Group Code of Ethics.

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee, appointed by Hera S.p.A.’s Board of Directors on 14 May 2008, is responsible for monitoring the dissemination and implementation of the Code of Ethics.It receives reports on breaches of the Code, assessing whether or not it is possible to open proceedings.

At the meeting of Hera S.p.A.’s Board of Directors (renewed on 27 april 2017) on 10 may 2017 the company again appointed the members of the Ethics Committee.

The Ethics Committee is composed as follows:

Massimo Giusti, Director's Board of Hera S.p.A.
Filippo Bocchi, Head of Hera S.p.A.’s Corporate Social Responsibility Department
Mario Viviani, company social responsibility expert (external member).

At the meeting on 9 June 2017, the Committee elected Massimo Giusti as Chairman.

Reports to the Committee

Reporting to the Ethics Committee (Whistleblowing)

In 2017, the Ethics Committee met seven times and examined overall 23reports, one more than in 2016. Twelve reports were received from employees, 10 from customers and one from suppliers; the Ethics Committee has examined 205 reports since 2008.

The 12 reports of the employees concerned the response times to the reports, the development and training of the employees and the relationship between the managers and the co-workers. In three cases, within the sphere of the reporting evaluation, the Ethics Committee met with/contacted the reporter, the Committee promoted solutions for 3 reports by involving the structure of reference and/or fostered cooperation and dialogue between the individuals involved; in 1 case the decision was made not to proceed with the implementation of the evaluation while in another case the employee disclosed that they no longer wished to proceed. In 4 cases, the Committee submitted recommendations to the departments involved with regard to the need to provide a reply to the internal customer, provide said reply within a suitable timescale and improve the procedures.

Customerreports, which fell from 14 in 2016 to 10 in 2017, regarded the suspension of the supply of water, estimated consumption and the billing errors, and the clarity of the commercial proposals via telephone. With regard to two reports, the Committee requested Hera Comm to meet so as to look in-depth at the formalities for handling the databases, for 1 report the Ethics Committee deemed it appropriate to involve the Legal and Corporate Affairs Division which confirmed the adequacy from a legal standpoint of the current meter reading and supply suspension methods; for one report steps were not taken to carry out the evaluation. In 2 cases, detailed investigations with the divisions of reference led to solving the customers’ requests, and in 6 cases, they led to providing a reply clarifying the company’s position. In one case the Committee confirmed the need to proceed with the limitation of the water supply instead of suspension, in compliance with the current procedures.

Page updated 5 April 2019