What is bribery?
Bribery involves the following:
- When a financial or other advantage is offered, given or promised to another person with the intention to induce or reward them or another person to perform their responsibilities or duties improperly (it does not have to be the person to whom the bribe is offered that acts improperly)
- When a financial or other advantage is requested, agreed to be received or accepted by another person with the intention of inducing or rewarding them or another person to perform their responsibilities or duties inappropriately (it does not have to be the person who receives the bribe that acts improperly).
It does not matter whether the bribe is:
- Given or received directly or through a third party (such as someone acting on Worldwide Movers Africa’s behalf, for example an agent, distributor, supplier, joint venture partner or other intermediary);
- For the benefit of the recipient or some other person.
Bribes can take many forms, for example:
- Money (or cash equivalent such as shares);
- Unreasonable gifts, entertainment or hospitality
- Kickbacks
- Unwarranted rebates or excessive commissions (e.g. to sales agents or marketing agents)
- Unwarranted allowances or expenses
- “Facilitation” payments/payments made to perform their normal job more quickly and/or prioritize a particular customer
- Political/charitable contributions
- Uncompensated use of company services or facilities
- Anything else of value.
This policy applies to both the public and private sectors. Dealing with public officials poses a particular high risk in relation to bribery and corruption and specific guidance when dealing with public officials is set out below. A breach of bribery laws can result in fines for both the company and the individual involved and in some jurisdictions could also result in imprisonment.