Respect for human rights is embedded in the company's Code of Conduct.

In addition to Our Values and Standards and our Know the Code and Safe to Speak Up training programs, Merck established the Global Labor Relations Guiding Principles to support our Global Labor Relations Strategy and to ensure consistency worldwide. These principles support our commitment to respect employees' lawful freedom of association globally.

Mechanisms to Report Concerns

There are several ways in which employees can report suspected human rights violations:

• As a first step, employees can seek out an immediate supervisor or manager to discuss suspected violations
• If the matter is not successfully resolved, or if concerns remain, employees are encouraged to pursue the issue with their next level of management or Human Resources
• Employees can also contact the Merck AdviceLine, either by telephone or the intranet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staffed by an independent organization, the AdviceLine allows employees to remain anonymous, in accordance with applicable legal standards for operation of whistle-blowing hotlines.
• Another option is the Merck Ombudsman Program, which offers a safe haven for U.S. employees to express work-related issues without fear of retaliation. This program confidentially addresses employees' concerns about conduct that may be inconsistent with Merck's policies, practices, values and standards.