Responsible business in challenging times
The world changed in 2020, but Jotun’s business principles, values and standards did not.
Regardless of the challenges the company faces, corrupt practices must always be combatted.
Jotun is committed to fighting corruption and unethical
practices throughout its global organisation.
The company believes that undertaking fully compliant,
honest and transparent business can be a cornerstone in
the development of society – delivering benefits for all
stakeholders, while enhancing our reputation as a trusted
supplier, business partner and employer worldwide.
SOLID SUPPORT
Jotun is focused on building a comprehensive anti-corruption
support function, ensuring employees receive clear messages,
instruction and assistance throughout their time with the
company. From day one, employees are made aware of how to
recognise, resist and report corruption.
This uniform corporate approach is seamlessly transferred
across regions, with compliance programmes encompassing
regular control measures, systematic reviews and training
activities. Corruption is a constant threat, demanding ongoing
vigilance.
FACING DILEMMAS
Certain employees, including sales teams, purchasing staff and
company management, face risk of exposure to potentially
corrupt scenarios. As such, they receive tailored training
initiatives, with a particular emphasis on dilemma training.
Traditionally, dilemma training has been conducted with
employees in face-to-face sessions with certified trainers.
However, to mitigate the risk of coronavirus infection and
comply with all relevant local health requirements, Jotun
switched the training to the MS Teams platform throughout
2020. In addition, a new online compliance and anticorruption
training module was launched to communicate
expectations and build the right behavioural attitudes.
MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Keeping anti-corruption ‘front of mind’ is essential, and never
more so than under challenging business conditions. In 2020,
Jotun strived to ensure all employees understood that there
is never an excuse for engaging in any activity that potentially
conflicts with the company’s standards, values or policies.
Short-term business gain can never come at the expense of
long-term reputational damage, and clear messaging made
all employees aware of the need to maintain standards,
whatever the circumstances. The need to ‘know your business
partners’ has been a focus area and integrity due diligence
is encouraged to ensure partners have the same business
standards and expectations as Jotun itself.
SIMPLIFYING COMPLIANCE
2020 also saw the launch of a new ‘Compliance in Jotun’
team-site in August to operate as a central platform for
accessing all relevant policies, procedures, documentation,
tools, and training activities. This will simplify and streamline
compliance, creating greater clarity and accessibility through a
single ‘one-stop-shop’.
Looking ahead at 2021, Jotun will continue to build digital
training modules for relevant compliance areas, and raise
further awareness of the company’s policies and expected
behaviour from all employees.
COLLABORATING FOR CHANGE
A single actor cannot stamp out corruption. Society needs all
businesses to bring their collective weight down on the issue
to drive malpractice out of the commercial arena. Jotun is
committed to playing an active part in the process.
Jotun supports international efforts, standards, declarations
and collaborations aimed at creating fair, proper and
healthy business environments. The company works with
Transparency International to support its campaigns against
corruption, while adhering to the United Nations Global
Compact (UNGC) to contribute to the goal of creating a
sustainable and inclusive global economy.
70 I Jotun Group Report 2020 Jotun and society / Anti-corruption