Integrity at Volt Europa

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody's watching." - C.S. Lewis

What is integrity?

At Volt Europa, we take integrity seriously. A member of Volt Europa with integrity is:

  • Intrinsically honest and reliable, without pursuing a hidden agenda or feigning emotions.

  • Able to take responsibility for their own actions.

  • Sensitive to the social problems that Volt Europa addresses.

  • Approachable and able to address the (mis)behaviours of others.

Our guiding principles

The most important sources in Volt with reference to integrity are:

  • Integrity Syllabus - This syllabus acts as supplementary to laws, regulations and general standards of human behaviour. The syllabus provides an assessment framework and acts as a guide in case of uncertainty, questions and discussions. In particular, you are referred to the Volt's European Code of Conduct (ECC) in chapter 2 of the Integrity Syllabus.

  • Volt Europa Statutes Article 3 - Volt embraces the values on which the European Union is founded, namely respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

  • Volt Pledge - Our value commitment for systemic inclusive behaviour. Look, Listen, Recognise, Connect, Encourage.

We promote integrity together!

We seek to promote a safe environment that encourages transformational dialogue, honesty and accountability, and that enables members and employees to actively engage. Volters can voice their ideas, and express their concerns freely, without fear.

We have laid the groundwork with our integrity system, but a safe environment calls for constant efforts and conversations among members of Volt Europa.

While integrity cannot be fully captured in rules, Volt's integrity system aims to create important conditions and circumstances for integrity. Leaders in Volt:

  • Promote integrity, including the proper handling of factual or apparent conflicts of interest in personal and professional relationships.

  • Promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and administrative practices in the domain of Volt Europa's activities.

  • Promote a culture of honesty and accountability.

  • Create a culture in which members and employees can express their concerns and fully cooperate during investigations, without having to be afraid of retaliation.

  • Offer guidelines and procedures to recognise, prevent, solve and report unethical behaviour.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Don't be a bystander - when to act?

We expect our members to take responsibility to address integrity issues. Ideally you address issues directly, or with the help of other members or leaders in Volt.

It can be challenging to act, even together with others. This is why we have integrity bodies to help you. You can contact them in full confidentiality if you are unable to address any of the following integrity issues on your own:

  • The behaviour of a member violates the Volt Europa Code of Conduct.

  • You notice or experience bullying, discrimination, transgressive behaviour, (sexual) intimidation or violence, fraud.

  • You are involved in a conflict within Volt that does not seem to get resolved.

  • You believe that conflicting parties could benefit from mediation.

  • You feel burdened by unwanted behaviour, a conflict situation or another form of stress, and would like to seek support or advice.

  • You are stuck in the system.

  • You do not agree with a decision by leaders in Volt.

Contact us now - Volt Europa integrity bodies

If you are unable to address an integrity issue with support of another Volt member or leader in Volt, contact:

  • [email protected] - If you want to share a confidential matter and receive advice on what to do.

  • [email protected] - If A) you have a problem or conflict with a body or individual in a formal function; B) you have an organisational complaint; C) you are 'stuck' in the system.

  • [email protected] - If you want to report or submit a complaint about the behaviour of another Volt member.

  • [email protected] - If you observe a conflict or are yourself in a (pre-)conflict with other members.

  • [email protected] - If you want to dispute a decision made by an entity in Volt Europa.

Who to contact?