Update Summer 2015
GoodCorporation launches Anti-Corruption Benchmark
GoodCorporation has been working with international organisations since the start of the millennium testing the strength and effectiveness of their ethics and compliance programmes. Following the passing of the Bribery Act, we have also been asked to test the robustness of adequate procedures using the GoodCorporation Framework on Bribery & Corruption.
As a result of these assessments we have now been able to produce an adequate procedures benchmark.
Companies can use the benchmark to measure the effectiveness of their anti-corruption procedures either independently or compared to similar organisations.
We can also benchmark ethical behaviour using the results of the 500 business ethics assessments conducted over the past 15 years.
Being sure that an ethics and compliance programme is properly embedded is crucial to mitigating risk and protecting reputation. Corporate behaviour is driven by the code of conduct. Best practice is starting to be recognised in this area, with many leading organisations working hard to establish the highest of standards.
While codes of conduct have been around for decades, with Johnson & Johnson’s Credo among the first published in 1943. It was Sarbanes Oxley in 2002 that required public companies to have a code for senior executives that bolstered their importance.
Today, most companies have a code, it’s making sure it really works that is the real challenge.
BBC publishes GoodCorporation's review of its child protection and whistleblowing policies
The BBC has published GoodCorporation’s review of its child protection and whistleblowing policies. The review involved a detailed assessment of the BBC’s policies and procedures in these key areas. it included interviews with senior BBC managers, employees, freelancers and independent production companies.
For more details and to download a copy of the report, visit the <https://www.bbc.co.uk,1″>BBC website
Are businesses losing the fight against corruption?
Good businesses need a level playing field if they are to compete fairly in a global market place. The spate of recent corruption scandals however, would suggest that despite the efforts of prosecutors and legislators around the world, bribery is still very much part of doing business.
GoodCorporation invited Andrew Feinstein, Founder of Corruption Watch UK to introduce this topic at our summer Business Ethics Debate at the House of Lords.
Are businesses losing the fight against corruption? was discussed by senior executives from a range of national and international companies on July 14. A summary of the debate will be posted on the GoodCorporation website.
GoodCorporation’s House of Lords debates are by invitation only. If you are interested in attending, please contact us.
When can anti-corruption procedures be deemed adequate?
GoodCorporation will be posing this question in the closing session on Day One of Compliance Week Europe in Brussels, October 26-27.
As the multimillion dollar fines clearly demonstrate, failure to prevent bribery is a costly affair that continues to hit the headlines. As risk levels and regulations vary from country to country, how can a multinational ever be sure it won’t be caught out in a distant part of the globe?
Leo Martin will moderate what promises to be a lively debate between conference attendees and panelists Christopher David, Counsel at Wilmer Hale, London and Danone SA Chief Compliance Officer Alexander Juengling. See the agenda for more details.
For a discount off the registration fee, please use the following code CWE15_GOODCORP.
In Brief...
The Bottom Line
With corruption leading the headlines following the Fifa revelations, BBC Radio 4 debated the bribery risks to which businesses are exposed on The Bottom Line.
Leo Martin joined Evan Davis for the discussion. Managing facilitation payments, risks to life and limb, gifts and hospitality, conflicts of interest, loss of revenue and public outrage are all covered under bribery legislation.
Can businesses really stamp it out or must we accept that corrupt payments will always be part of doing business? Evan Davis leads the discussion.
Slave Labour
The UK’s Modern Slavery Act passed earlier this year, claims to be one of the first in the world to specifically address slavery and trafficking.
The Act provides law enforcement agencies with the tools required to tackle modern-day slave masters introducing far tougher sentencing and greater protection for victims
In addition, Section 54 includes a provision requiring large businesses to produce an annual statement on the actions they have taken to ensure their supply chains are free of slavery, forced or compulsory labour.
These reporting requirements are expected to come into force from October 2015, however there is concern that the government has yet to define what it means by ‘large company’.
Nonetheless companies are urged to assess slavery risks and conduct rigorous due diligence in the supply chain.
The goodblog examines the steps companies should take in more detail.
GoodCorporation has already worked with clients to assess their human rights’ impact and to review labour conditions in the work force.
A detailed ethics and human rights assessment of Total SA’s operation in Myanmar was conducted with the Danish Institute of Human Rights.
A case history of this assessment is now available on the GoodCorporation website.
What Fifa should do next?
With seven executives under arrest, 18 charged with tax evasion and racketeering in the US and 53 possible cases of money-laundering being investigated by the Swiss, the spotlight is clearly on.
Mr Blatter may have resigned, but he remains in post until December. While proposals for integrity checks on all top Fifa officials have been backed, the New Yorker states that what Fifa needs is a miracle.
While it may take a miracle to bring good governance about, none of it is rocket science and all of it could be implemented with the right leadership.
GoodCorporation will be publishing recommended actions for Fifa in the August issue of Governance & Compliance Magazine
Conference Season
GoodCorporation exhibited at the C5 Anti-Corruption Forum London last month. Excellent sessions from David Green, SFO, Osama Al Jayousi, Carillion and Kathryn Higgs, Balfour Beatty.
In September Leo Martin will be joining the Anti-Corruption Boot Camp panel discussion at Legal Confex. The session aims to provide the tools necessary to avoid investigations, remain compliant and monitor third party conduct.