Communicating with Non-Management Directors
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Communicating with Non-Management Directors
Policy New Jersey Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company") are committed to conducting its businesses with integrity and in an ethical manner. This procedure offers the public and employees alike the opportunity to communicate directly with the non-management directors of the Company. Consistent with the Company's Code of Conduct, any employee who in good faith reports any concerns to the non-management directors will not be punished or retaliated against in any way.
Procedure - Methods of Communication
Members of the public as well as employees may contact non-management directors by calling Ethicspoint, Inc., a toll-free hotline service at 1-866-384-4277. Ethicspoint is an outside agency not affiliated with the Company whose trained, professional personnel will take the call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You may also communicate by e-mail to www.ethicspoint.com. No matter the method of communication, if you decide it should be treated on an anonymous, confidential basis, your request will be strictly honored. While you will not be asked to identify yourself, you will be assigned a unique "Report Key" and asked to create your own password. Once your report is received you will be advised of a date to check back and find out what has been done regarding the communication. The Report Key and password will be necessary for you to check on the status of your report and to respond to any questions that may come up during any investigation.
- Reviewing the Communication
All communications received by Ethicspoint, Inc. will be forwarded to the Lead Director or the designated representative (each the "Director Representative"), by the next business day. A reply, if deemed necessary, will be provided as soon as practicable.
- Conducting an Investigation
All appropriate matters will be promptly investigated by one or more of the General Counsel, Vice President of Internal Auditing, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Services, (the "Team"), as the Director Representative deems appropriate. Follow-up questions to the person filing the report will be possible via the unique case number assigned by the hotline service, and only persons who may reasonably be thought to have information beneficial to the investigation will be interviewed. Relevant documents and records will be reviewed.
If a report is referred to the Team, the Team will conduct its investigation and notify the Director Representative of the results as quickly as possible. If necessary, the Director Representative may authorize the use of independent experts to assist in the investigation. If the Director Representative agrees that the investigation is completed, the person who made the report will be promptly informed of the results and any actions taken via the unique case number. If the Director Representative requires additional information, the Team will conduct whatever additional investigation is necessary and then proceed as stated above.
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Reporting to the Non-Management Directors
All communications will be reviewed with all non-management directors at the next succeeding non-management directors only meeting. Depending on the nature of the communication, the Director Representative may discuss the matter with the other members of the Board of Directors or non-management directors as the Director Representative deems appropriate or convene a meeting of such directors immediately.
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Procedure Assessment
The non-management directors shall assess the effectiveness of this procedure on an annual basis and make whatever revisions or amendments deemed appropriate.
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Notice
This procedure shall be posted on the Company's Web site. Additionally, all employees of the Company will be notified of this procedure as soon as practical following its approval by the Board of Directors and, thereafter, will be reminded during annual Code of Conduct training.
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Questions
Any questions regarding this procedure should be addressed to the General Counsel at 1415 Wyckoff Road, Wall, New Jersey 07719 or by calling 732-938-1489. E-mails are welcome as well at mdugan@njresources.com.
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