What To Do If You Have a Concern About Business Practices

We are not experts in all areas. From time to time, we may need advice or assistance in order to resolve an issue.

 

Managers or supervisors typically should be the first people we ask for help.  If you are not comfortable discussing an issue with your manager, other resources are available.

 

The chart on the next page (download PDF 71KB) illustrates the processes for resolving business practice inquiries.  Start by reviewing the issue with a manager or supervisor.

 

Function managers in local organizations, business units or corporate staff often provide guidance on business practice matters.  These resources include:

• Controller
• Human resources
• Legal counsel
• Auditor
• Quality manager
• Environmental health and safety managers
  

If you, your manager, and your function managers cannot resolve an issue, the next step is a review with the Regional Business Practice Committee.  The Committee members also can help if you, your manager, or a function manager cannot agree on a course of action or would like to discuss any issue further.  Committee members can be contacted by phone, by e-mail, or by mail.  Questions can be raised confidentially or anonymously.

 

The individual members of the Corporate Responsibility Office and the Corporate Business Practices staff are resources for additional guidance.  Permanent members of the Corporate Responsibility Office include the Vice President of Business Practices, who reports to the Public Policy Committee of Baxter's Board of Directors, and the Vice President of Corporate Audit, who reports to the Audit Committee of Baxter's Board of Directors.  Questions can be raised and reports can be made confidentially or anonymously.

 

Names and telephone numbers for the current members of the Regional Business Practice Committees and Corporate Responsibility Office, as well as Corporate Business Practices, are available on the Baxter Intranet under "Business Practices."  A toll-free help line number and an online submission form is available through the Ethics and Compliance Helpline.  Written correspondence can be sent to the Corporate Responsibility Office at its post office box (P.O. Box 154, Deerfield IL 60015) or through the Business Practices website on Baxter's intranet.  Telephone calls also can be made to Corporate Business Practices (1-847-948-4964).

 

Note that "business practice issues" are the topics covered in this document.  In addition, "significant business practice issues" as defined in Baxter's Management Policy on Business Practices always should be discussed with the Regional Business Practice Committee and the Corporate Responsibility Office.