Whistleblowing Policy

At Vape Superstore, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity in all our operations. This Whistleblowing Policy encourages employees, suppliers, and stakeholders to report any concerns about unethical or illegal practices. We are committed to protecting those who report concerns in good faith and ensuring that whistleblowers are not subject to any retaliation, as protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

Introduction

Employees and suppliers are encouraged to report any unethical, illegal, or unsafe activities they become aware of during the course of their work with Vape Superstore. The company takes such concerns very seriously and is committed to addressing them appropriately. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects employees who report issues related to certain criminal activities or breaches of law.

Qualifying Disclosures

Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, certain disclosures made by employees are considered “qualifying disclosures.” A “qualifying disclosure” refers to any information that the employee genuinely and reasonably believes is in the public interest and reveals a “relevant failure” within the company. Such failures may include:

• Committing a criminal offence: This includes any illegal activities within the organisation.
• Failure to comply with a legal obligation: If the company violates any statutory or regulatory requirement.
• Miscarriage of justice: Any activities within the organisation that may lead to wrongful legal outcomes.
• Endangering health and safety: Any situation where individuals' health and safety are at risk due to unsafe practices.
• Environmental damage: Any actions that may cause environmental harm, including pollution or damage to natural resources.
• Concealing information: If information about the above issues is being deliberately hidden or misrepresented.

Reporting Unethical Behaviour

If you suspect or become aware of any violations of this policy or unethical behaviour, you are encouraged to report your concerns. Vape Superstore takes all reports seriously and will investigate any disclosures promptly. We provide clear procedures for making a disclosure, ensuring that whistleblowers are protected and the matter is dealt with confidentially.

Protection from Retaliation

Vape Superstore is committed to ensuring that any individual who makes a qualifying disclosure is protected from retaliation or any form of detrimental treatment. Bullying, harassment, or any negative treatment of employees who report concerns in good faith is strictly prohibited. Employees who engage in such behaviour will face disciplinary action.

Confidentiality

All whistleblowing concerns will be treated confidentially. Only those involved in investigating the matter or resolving the issue will be made aware of the identity of the whistleblower. Where possible, we will maintain the anonymity of individuals who raise concerns. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to disclose the identity of the whistleblower in order to investigate the issue fully or take appropriate action.

Accountability and Follow-up

Once a concern has been reported, Vape Superstore will take all reasonable steps to investigate the issue and ensure that corrective action is taken where necessary. We aim to provide feedback to the whistleblower about the actions taken, while maintaining confidentiality where appropriate. The company will also review the issue raised to ensure that there are no further systemic issues and that preventative measures are put in place if necessary.

Consequences of Misuse

If a whistleblower knowingly makes a false or malicious claim, Vape Superstore may take disciplinary action against the individual responsible. However, we will not take any action against employees who report concerns in good faith, even if the issue turns out to be unfounded.

Conclusion

Vape Superstore takes all reports of unethical or illegal behaviour seriously and is committed to addressing them appropriately. If you have any concerns about unethical practices, we encourage you to use this whistleblowing procedure to raise them. Your actions will help us maintain a safe, ethical, and lawful environment for all employees, customers, and stakeholders.