Global Bribery Act

Which of the following statements about corruption is true? - Bribes are a necessary part of doing business in some countries - In countries where public officials take bribes, ordinary people pay the price - Corruption is tolerated only to the extent necessary to win critical contracts - If an employee is not sure what to do in a particular situation, he or she should do research online to find the answer

In countries where public officials take bribes, ordinary people pay the price

The UK Bribery Act makes it illegal for any UK organization or person or any non-UK organization that does business in the UK to:

- Offer, promise, or give a bribe to anyone in the public or private sector; - Request, agree to receive, or accept a bribe from anyone in the public sector; or - Bribe a foreign public official in order to obtain or retain or an advantage in the conduct of business

The following can also be considered improper payments: - Charitable donations used as a way to funnel bribes to a foreign official and ....

- Payment for travel expenses for a family member or offering a job to a family member of a foreign official

Examples of routine government actions include: - Processing governmental papers, such as visas; - Obtaining licenses, permits, or other official documents needed to conduct business in a foreign country; and...

- Providing police protection, power, water, phone service, mail pickup, government inspections, or other basic services or actions.

If you notice any following suspicious accounting activities, you should make a report immediately. - "Off-the-books" payments or "slush-funds" - Payments in cash - Mischaracterized expenses, e.g. bribes falsely recorded as training, promotional, or any other type of expense - Falsified invoices or expense reports used to cover up improper payments; - "Consulting fees" or "commissions" paid to third-party agents used to make bribes and...

Commissions or fees deposited to off-shore shell companies

While the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has a narrow exception for these kinds of payments, most other anti-corruption laws don't. So before making such payments - Disclose your situation to appropriate internal resource - Get prior approval before making any payment and, and..

If a payment is authorized, honestly and accurately account for it in your records