Whistleblower Protection

Whistleblower Protection. The Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and legal compliance and encourages employees to report, in good faith, any suspected violations of law, regulations, Company policies, or ethical standards through the Company's designated reporting channels, including the anonymous ethics hotline and the Compliance Officer. No employee who in good faith reports a suspected violation shall be subject to retaliation, including but not limited to discharge, demotion, suspension, threats, harassment, or any other form of adverse employment action. This protection extends to employees who participate in investigations, hearings, or proceedings related to such reports. Employees who report in good faith are protected under applicable federal and state whistleblower protection laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and applicable state whistleblower statutes. Any employee who retaliates against an employee for making a good faith report shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Reports may be made anonymously; however, providing identifying information may facilitate a more thorough investigation.