For our company it goes without saying that we respect and observe local laws and regulations as the legal foundation of our business activities in all the countries where we operate. There are also recommendations and standards handed down by national and international organisations. We endorse the requirements contained in these conventions and recommendations and expect our employees, suppliers and business partners worldwide to observe them in their actions.

When it comes to the formulation of employee rights, it is the applicable laws in the various countries that are determinative for us. Along with these national statutory regulations, we are guided by the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), especially in relation to the elimination of child and forced labour. Further human rights issues such as equal treatment and discrimination or the right to protection of personal data are governed by the Code of Conduct and our information security and data privacy policies, which are applicable to all employees of our company. As a general principle, the risk of human rights violations in connection with our operations is extremely slight.

The participation of our employees in decision-making processes within the company is safeguarded by their right to have a say through the SE Employee Councils, the joint German Employee Council of Hannover Rück SE, E+S Rückversicherung AG and International Insurance Company of Hannover SE as well as by the three employee representatives on the Supervisory Board elected by this joint Employee Council. The employee-employer relationship is governed by the SE Employee Participation Act, our Articles of Association and the Agreements with the Employee Council.

Our employees Group-wide are informed of significant operational changes without delay and in accordance with legal requirements. The Supervisory Board must be advised immediately of matters that can have a material influence on the position of our company. No precise notice period has been set for this purpose. In the context of their right to information, the Employee Council for the Hannover location and the SE Employee Council of Hannover Rück SE as well as the SE Employee Council of Inter Hannover SE also duly receive all relevant information so as to be able to influence operational changes.

In 2017 no instances are known of business operations that could impede the rights to freedom of association or collective bargaining at our company.