Anti-bribery initiatives: Miles to go for India Inc, shows survey

55% of respondents still unsure if their employer has a specific anti-graft policy

Corporate India’s efforts to sensitise its employees on anti-bribery and corruption compliance efforts do not seem to resonate with most employees, show the findings of a survey. Speaking in their individual capacity, around 55 per cent of the respondents in a survey conducted by Deloitte Forensic said they were not sure if their organisation had a specific policy on anti-bribery and what the policy said. Further, 61 per cent said their companies did not discuss issues related to corporate bribery and corruption, while 65 per cent said they did not receive emails from senior management on the issue.

The Deloitte Forensic survey, promoted over social media to ensure wider reach among the working population, saw participation of 180 people.

The survey also highlighted that an organisation’s perceived corrupt demeanour had an effect on its employees. Around 88 per cent of the respondents said they would not feel comfortable working for a company that was perceived to be indulging in corrupt practices.

FIGHTING GRAFT
Findings of Deloitte Forensic survey on where India Inc misses out (% of respondents)

• 63%: Business mindset is that work cannot be done without bribery
• 55%: My organisation could adopt this policy but our business partners and vendors might not. That will lead to a low level of overall compliance
• 52%: There is limited communication with employees on why such a policy is necessary

In a clear sign of changing environment, around 81 per cent indicated practising ethical behaviour (in daily business activities) should be considered as an added parameter in an employee’s performance evaluation, to help drive the message of anti-bribery and corruption.

Following stricter corporate governance code mandated under the new companies law, companies have to put in place internal compliance guidelines and controls, besides appropriate checks and balances. Companies also have to manage the risk of bribery and corruption, to take into account various legislative exposures, particularly those in the US (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 1977) and UK (Bribery Act, 2010).

Commenting on the survey’s findings, Sumit Makhija, senior director of Deloitte Forensic (India), noted organisations seemed to have missed consistent implementation and communication of anti-bribery and corruption policies with employees. “In the long term, this can significantly affect companies’ objectives of zero-tolerance culture.”

Makhija also said corporate India was actively relooking at strengthening its code of conduct and anti-bribery and corruption policies, but it appeared the emphasis was on structuring the policy and preparing it for compliance with regulations and implementing it on business partners.