In 2013, incidents of fraud involving intermediaries rose significantly as improvements to internal controls led to higher rates of detection. Incidents involving third parties, meanwhile, fell sharply. This was due mainly to measures introduced to tackle fraud at our operations in India. Since then, our efforts to tackle misconduct, fraud and mis-selling paid off, with significant reductions across the board.
Code of Conduct
Aegon’s Code of Conduct embodies the company’s values and helps ensure that all employees act ethically and responsibly.
It prescribes a mandatory set of conditions for how Aegon employees should conduct business, comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and exercise sound judgment in reaching ethical business decisions in the long-term interests of our stakeholders.
Who does it apply to?
Aegon’s Code of Conduct applies to all directors, officers (regardless of the contractual basis of their employment) and employees of all Aegon companies around the world, including associate companies, joint ventures and other co-operative ventures.
Every Aegon employee has to certify that they have read and understood the Code of Conduct, and agree to abide by it. Employees are encouraged to follow an e-learning to help embed the principles of the Code in the way they work.
Reporting unethical behavior
Aegon encourages the reporting of all suspected or actual violations of applicable laws and regulations, our Code of Conduct, and Aegon’s internal policies. For those who wish to remain anonymous, or to elevate the matter to higher levels within the organization, a third-party helpline and website, Aegon Ethics Line, are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Aegon will protect employees against any form of retaliation who, in good faith and with due care, report concerns of poor practice, inappropriate, unethical or illegal behavior.
Aegon’s Code of Conduct and the Aegon Ethics Line are available in the languages of the countries where we operate.
