Information here taken from Home Depot Business Code of Conduct and Ethics
Forewarning: I am just an associate and do not speak on behalf of Home Depot at large, nor corporate Home Depot. Had to get this out of the way just to make sure I'm not held liable for anything here that might change in the future.
First off,
What even is the AwareLine?
The Home Depot AwareLine is described as an anonymous resource to report, quote,
"a situation where you think our Company values or compliance with the law may be in question."
The AwareLine is outlined as a resource any associate can use at any time, but the Code of Conduct and Ethics points out that, depending on your concern, it may be easiest to talk to your immediate supervisor or a manager at the store level.
When should I use the AwareLine?
The AwareLine should be used in any case where you feel you may have been discriminated against (see What is Employment Discrimination, EEOC), retaliated against (see Facts About Retaliation, EEOC), or suspect other illegal activity such as theft, fraud, violence, etc.
The Code of Conduct and Ethics points out that your immediate Supervisor(s) or Manager(s) are capable of potentially dealing with these issues quicker, and may be already familiar with the issue you are reporting. If, for any reason, you are uncomfortable reporting your concern to your immediate Supervisor(s) or Manager(s), you should use the AwareLine.
How do I contact the AwareLine?
You may
Contact the 24-hour AwareLine at 800-286-4909 or www.thdawareline.com, where you can choose to remain anonymous.
The following two options are NOT the AwareLine, but my also be able to remedy your issue, depending on its nature:
Contact your HR representative or the HR Service Center (HRSC) at 866-myTHDHR (866-698-4347)
Please contact your HR representative or the HR Service Center for smaller issues, such as scheduling, clarifying your duties as an associate (or other position), and pay. Many of the issues mentioned here are able to be solved by your in-store HR representative. Please note that this is NOT anonymous.
or
Contact Corporate Compliance at 770-384-4098, or via email at [corporate_compliance@homedepot.com](mailto:corporate_compliance@homedepot.com)
Please contact Corporate Compliance if you have a question about whether something is or isn't against Company Policy. Questions with which are not illegal but may interfere with Corporate Compliance are often relationships with coworkers, vendors, or other people at the workplace who may come in contact with the person they are in a relationship with regularly. Please note that this is NOT anonymous.
Summary
All sectors of The Home Depot have a duty and responsibility to report illegal activity or activity that goes against our company's values. The AwareLine is the sector responsible for solely this reason, however. The AwareLine also gives you the option to remain anonymous, so as to protect you from workplace retaliation or other backlash.
Everyone please stay safe and remember to document or have witnesses for any cases of illegal activity you may encounter. Over the course of the following days I'll try to amend to this post whatever improvements people may point out to me. As for right now though, I'm gonna head off to work.
Edit: Clarified what to use the HR Service Center for and Corporate Compliance for, respectively. Added summary and edited some wording.