BNSF News

BNSF Emphasizes Commitment to Ethics, Safety, Integrity and Compliance

2009-10-29

The BNSF Hotline provides employees with an easy and confidential way to report potential concerns about ethics, safety, integrity and legal compliance using a confidential phone line that allows the caller to remain anonymous.

In the past, this reporting mechanism was referred to as the Employee Hotline or other similar names. It will now officially be called the "BNSF Hotline," but nothing about the process has changed, including the phone number: 1-800-533-BNSF (2673).

The BNSF Hotline is intended to supplement, not replace, the normal processes used to resolve issues described in the Code of Conduct. These processes include discussing issues with your supervisor, other local management, your Human Resources representative, the Law Department or Corporate Audit Services. The BNSF Hotline also provides an alternative for reporting safety concerns, in addition to local Safety Issue Resolution Processes and other division or shop reporting tools.

"We encourage employees to work with their supervisors or other management within their departments," said Chief Compliance Officer Judy Carter. "But if you are uncomfortable discussing your concerns with these individuals or anyone else at the corporate office, then the BNSF Hotline provides a way to report your concern anonymously."

The BNSF Hotline is managed by EthicsPoint, a third-party provider that will investigate employee concerns as well as protect the caller's identity. "If you call in to report a potential violation, please provide detailed and accurate information," said David Stropes, vice president, Corporate Audit. "Your identity will be protected by EthicsPoint, as they work with you to obtain additional information to help facilitate our investigation."

Employees, contractors, vendors and other third parties should use the BNSF Hotline to report any type of concern, especially serious and potentially costly and safety-compromising issues. These can include substance-abuse problems, embezzlement schemes and theft activities.

See the updated Web site here.

Note: A few callers to the BNSF Hotline during the weekend of Oct. 24 may not have received service due to an unexpected outage. Service was restored by early morning on Oct. 26. BNSF remains committed to the BNSF Hotline and encourages employees who may have tried to report an issue over the weekend to call again. We regret any inconvenience this temporary outage may have caused.

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For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com