Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000036
Chunk: 107

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 107
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 processes across the Company to monitor these policies and practices. In addition, the Audit Committee and Compensation and Talent Development Committee actively oversee risks related to ethics and compliance-related matters, including compliance with our Code of Ethics, and risks related to human capital management, including the policies and practices that are the subject of this proposal.

Our robust Ethics & Compliance program effectively communicates and trains employees on our policies, procedures and ethical expectations. Employees are reminded of their duty to report if aware of any suspected violations, including any discrimination or harassment, through training, communications and an annual attestation process. We provide multiple avenues for employees, contractors and stakeholders to report misconduct, and allegations raised are investigated by trained, experienced and independent investigators. We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who files a concern. The Company’s Ethics & Compliance team

#### Southern Company2025 Proxy Statement89

#### Stockholder Proposals
measures, analyzes and provides reports to executive management and the Audit Committee regarding trends in allegations raised and substantiated misconduct identified through all reporting channels. The Chief Compliance Officer provides a quarterly update to the Audit Committee that includes significant substantiated violations, if any, and provides an annual report to the Audit Committee regarding both an assessment of the Company’s compliance risks and also the Ethics & Compliance program’s performance in preventing, detecting and responding to misconduct. Similarly, the Compensation and Talent Development Committee receives a summary of any compensation-related allegations. Moreover, we undertake periodic reviews by internal and external counsel to assess whether our policies and practices comply with federal, state and local laws.

Through Our Values of Act with Integrity and Intentional Inclusion, we expect our employees to act with honesty, respect and fairness. We strive to foster a culture of belonging and build a team where everyone feels valued. We are committed to preventing discrimination within our workforce and helping to ensure that all employees have a fair shot at success.

Accordingly, because of the strength of Southern's anti-discrimination practices, as well as Southern’s existing oversight and transparency around these practices, the evaluation and report sought by the proposal is unnecessary.

| The Board recommends a voteAGAINSTthe proposal. |

#### 90Southern Company2025 Proxy Statement
Stock Ownership Information

Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

The following table shows the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned as of February 14, 2025 by Directors, NEOs and executive officers. Unless otherwise indicated, each person possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares identified as beneficially owned. The shares owned by all Directors, NEO