MODULE CONTENTS
This module provides an understanding of the risks associated with the practice of gifts and invitations in the business world. It also explains the value of the code of conduct, which is a valuable reference for the policy of your company or organization regarding these practices.
This module consists of a 3-minute motion design followed by a quiz to validate the learners' knowledge.
PEDAGOGICAL OBJECTIVES
Introducing the code of conduct
Understanding the risks associated with gifts and entertainment
Addressing good practice
Engaging employees on a strategic issue for companies
Gifts and invitations to events are common in business life. To reduce the risk of bribery or influence peddling, whether active or passive, it is important to have a clear policy, defining the line between the acceptable and the prohibited.
The most common examples are using them to promote a product or service, such as an invitation to a business event, or negotiating a contract in a pleasant or prestigious setting, or thanking partners for a business success. Not all of these practices are necessarily prohibited, but they must be controlled and proportionate.
As a result of abusive situations involving corruption, the private sector has been led to question these practices and to supervise them in order to reduce the risks weighing on them.
Indeed, gifts and invitations can be the instruments of corrupt practices aimed at unduly obtaining any advantage (a contract, privileged information, advantageous contractual conditions, etc.). And even when they do not constitute corrupt acts, gifts and invitations can cast doubt on the probity of the actors, which can have formidable consequences, for example in the media.
Gifts and entertainment also represent a significant cost to organisations when they are frequent, expensive and widely distributed.
One of the pillars of anti-corruption laws is therefore to establish a policy on gifts and entertainment that must be applicable to all persons performing functions on behalf of the organisation, regardless of their status or position in the organisation. This is the code of conduct.
