1. POLICY STATEMENT
1.1 It is the policy of AGA Rangemaster Group to
conduct all of our business in an honest and ethical manner. We
take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are
committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in
all our business dealings and relationships wherever we operate and
implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter
bribery.
1.2 We will uphold all laws relevant to
countering bribery and corruption in all countries in which we
operate. However, we remain bound by the laws of the UK, including
the Bribery Act 2010, in respect of our conduct both at home and
abroad.
1.3 The purpose of this policy is to:
(a) set out our responsibilities, and of those
working for us, in observing and upholding our position on bribery
and corruption; and
(b) provide information and guidance to those
working for us on how to recognise and deal with bribery and
corruption issues.
1.4 In this policy, third party/parties means
any individual or organisation you come into contact with during
the course of your work for us, and includes actual and potential
clients, customers, suppliers, distributors, business contacts,
agents, advisers, and government and public bodies, including their
advisors, representatives and officials, politicians and political
parties.
1.5 This policy should be read in conjunction
with the Group Code of Conduct and Group Ethical Trading Policy as
displayed on the Group Website / Intranet and Group guidelines
relating to expense claims as recorded in Section 15 of the Group
Manual of Procedures "Personal Expenses - Staff"; as displayed on
the Group Intranet.
2. WHO IS COVERED BY THE
POLICY?
This policy applies to all individuals working at all levels and
grades, including senior managers, officers, directors, employees
(whether permanent, fixed-term or temporary), consultants,
contractors, trainees, seconded staff, home workers, casual workers
and agency staff, volunteers, interns, agents, sponsors, or any
other person associated with us, or any of our subsidiaries or
their employees, wherever located (collectively referred to as
workers in this policy).
3. WHAT IS BRIBERY?
A bribe is an inducement or reward offered, promised or provided
in order to gain any commercial, contractual, regulatory or
personal advantage.
Examples:
Offering a bribe
You offer a potential client tickets to a major sporting event,
but only if they agree to do business with us.
This would be an offence as you are making the offer to gain a
commercial and contractual advantage. We may also be found to have
committed an offence because the offer has been made to obtain
business for us. It may also be an offence for the potential client
to accept your offer.
Receiving a bribe
A supplier gives your nephew a job, but makes it clear that in
return they expect you to use your influence in our organisation to
ensure we continue to do business with them.
It is an offence for a supplier to make such an offer. It
would be an offence for you to accept the offer as you would be
doing so to gain a personal advantage.
Bribing a foreign official
You arrange for the business to pay an additional payment to a
foreign official to speed up an administrative process such as
clearing our goods through customs.
The offence of bribing a foreign public official has been
committed as soon as the offer is made. This is because it is made
to gain a business advantage for us. We may also be found to have
committed an offence.
Examples of potential risk scenario's: "red flags" are detailed in
Appendix 1
4. GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY
4.1 This policy does not prohibit normal and
appropriate hospitality (given and received) to or from third
parties. However all offers of hospitality, with the exception of
mid-day lunch or an evening meal, from third parties
including suppliers, customers or other business associates must be
agreed in advance (in writing) with your senior manager. See
Section 9 for notification procedures. All entertaining must be
clearly identified on the relevant expenses form and in line with
the expenses policy contained within section15 of the Group Manual
of Procedures.
4.2 Where gifts are received they will be deemed
to be a gift to the company and as such will be placed in a raffle
or similar event, so that such gifts will either be available to
any employee or may be donated to charity.
4.3 Any use of the company's third parties,
including contractors, suppliers, customers or other associated
businesses to carry out work in respect of private property or
assets must be declared and agreed in advance with the business
unit senior manager.
4.4 The giving or receipt of gifts is not
prohibited, if the following requirements are met:
(a) it is not made with the intention of
influencing a third party to obtain or retain business or a
business advantage, or to reward the provision or retention of
business or a business advantage, or in exchange for favours or
benefits;
(b) it complies with local law;
(c) it is given in our name, not in your
name;
(d) it does not include cash or a cash
equivalent (such as gift certificates or vouchers);
(e) taking into account the reason for the gift,
it is of an appropriate type and value and given at an appropriate
time;
(f) it is given openly, not secretly; and
(g) gifts should not be offered to, or accepted
from, government officials or representatives, or politicians or
political parties, without the prior approval of the Group Finance
Director.
Gifts given / received, with the exception of those of de minimis
value, should be recorded as noted in Section 9.
4.4 We appreciate that the practice of giving
business gifts varies between countries and regions and what may be
normal and acceptable in one region may not be in another. The test
to be applied is whether in all the circumstances the gift or
hospitality is reasonable and justifiable. The intention behind the
gift should always be considered and authorised by the senior
manager.
5. WHAT IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE?
It is not acceptable for you (or someone on your behalf) to:
(a) give, promise to give, or offer, a payment,
gift or hospitality to a government official, agent or
representative to "facilitate" or expedite a routine
procedure;
(b) accept payment from a third party that you
know or suspect is offered with the expectation that it will obtain
a business advantage for them;
(c) accept a gift or hospitality from a third
party if you know or suspect that it is offered or provided with an
expectation that a business advantage will be provided by us in
return;
(d) threaten or retaliate against another worker
who has refused to commit a bribery offence or who has raised
concerns under this policy; or
(e) engage in any activity that might lead to a
breach of this policy.
If in doubt regarding what constitutes an acceptable gift or
hospitality consult your senior manager.
6. FACILITATION PAYMENTS AND
KICKBACKS
6.1 We do not make, and will not accept,
facilitation payments or "kickbacks" of any kind. Facilitation
payments are typically small, unofficial payments made to secure or
expedite a routine government action by a government
official.
6.2 If you are asked to make any other form of
payment on our behalf, you should always be mindful of what the
payment is for and whether the amount requested is proportionate to
the goods or services provided. You should always ask for a receipt
which details the reason for the payment. If you have any
suspicions, concerns or queries regarding a payment, you should
raise these with your business unit senior manager or the Group
Internal Audit Manager.
6.3 Kickbacks are typically payments made in
return for a business favour or advantage. All workers must
avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, that a
facilitation payment or kickback will be made or accepted by
us.
7. DONATIONS
We do not make contributions to political parties. We only
make charitable donations that are legal and ethical under local
laws and practices. No donation must be offered or made without the
prior approval of your business unit senior manager.
8. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
8.1 You must ensure that you read, understand
and comply with this policy.
8.2 The prevention, detection and reporting of
bribery and other forms of corruption are the responsibility of all
those working for us or under our control. All workers are required
to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of
this policy.
8.3 You must notify your business unit senior
manager, or the Group Internal Audit Manager as soon as possible if
you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has
occurred, or may occur in the future. Alternatively details may be
reported on the Group's Whistleblowing facility; a copy of
the latest policy is included in Appendix 2.
8.4 Any employee who breaches this policy will
face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for gross
misconduct. We reserve our right to terminate our contractual
relationship with other workers if they breach this policy.
9. RECORD-KEEPING
9.1 We must ensure that accurate books, records
and financial reports are maintained within the Group's business
units and for significant business partners working on our behalf.
Books, records and financial reporting must be transparent and
accurately reflect each of the underlying transactions. Reference
should be made to the Group Manual of Procedures which specifies
the requirements that are already in place regarding appropriate
internal controls.
9.2 Each business unit will maintain a written
record of all hospitality, gifts or donations accepted or offered,
which will be subject to managerial and internal audit review. It
is your responsibility to ensure that any hospitality, gifts or
donations (given or received) are entered into this written record.
The attached form AC001/v1 specifies the written record to be
maintained. Where the amount of the hospitality, gift or donation
offered or received is in excess of £500 a separate authorisation
(form AC002/v1 attached) must be agreed with the business
unit senior manager, and subsequently entered onto the written
record. Each business unit will specify an individual or department
to be responsible for maintaining the written record.
9.3 You must ensure all expense claims relating
to hospitality, gifts or expenses incurred to third parties are
submitted in accordance with this policy and the Group guidelines
on expenses included in the Group Manual of Procedures section 15;
a copy of which is on the Group Intranet.
9.4 All accounts, invoices, memoranda and other
documents and records relating to dealings with third parties, such
as clients, suppliers and business contacts, should be prepared and
maintained with strict accuracy and completeness. No accounts must
be kept "off-book" to facilitate or conceal improper
payments.
10. HOW TO RAISE A
CONCERN
You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion
of malpractice at the earliest possible stage. If you are unsure
whether a particular act constitutes bribery or corruption, or if
you have any other queries, these should be raised with your
business unit senior manager or the Group Internal Audit Manager.
Alternatively you can voice your concerns by following the
procedure set out in our Whistleblowing Policy. A copy of our
Whistleblowing Policy is attached.
11. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF
BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION
Procedures,as noted in section 10, should be followed as soon as
possible if you are offered a bribe by a third party, are asked to
make one, suspect that this may happen in the future, or believe
that you are a victim of another form of unlawful activity.
12. PROTECTION
12.1 Workers who refuse to accept or offer a
bribe, or those who raise concerns or report another's wrongdoing,
are sometimes worried about possible repercussions. We aim to
encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine
concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to
be mistaken.
12.2 We are committed to ensuring no one suffers
any detrimental treatment as a result of refusing to take part in
bribery or corruption, or because of reporting in good faith the
suspicion that an actual or potential bribery or other corruption
offence has taken place, or may take place in the future.
Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action,
threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a
concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment,
you should inform the Group Internal Audit Manager immediately.
Alternatively you can use the contact details contained within the
Whistleblowing Policy If the matter is not remedied,
and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using your
business unit Grievance Procedure.
13. TRAINING AND
COMMUNICATION
13.1 Training on this policy forms part of the
induction process for all new workers. All existing workers will
receive regular, relevant training on how to implement and adhere
to this policy.
13.2 Our zero-tolerance approach to bribery and
corruption must be communicated to all third parties including
suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our
business relationship with them and as appropriate
thereafter.
14. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
POLICY?
14.1 The board of directors has overall
responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and
ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply
with it.
14.2 The Group Human Resources Director has
primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy,
and for monitoring its use and effectiveness and dealing with any
queries on its interpretation. Management at all levels are
responsible for ensuring those reporting to them are made aware of
and understand this policy and are given adequate and regular
training on it.
15. MONITORING AND REVIEW
15.1 The Group Internal Audit Manager will
monitor the effectiveness and regularly review the implementation
of and adherence to this policy, considering its suitability,
adequacy and effectiveness. Any improvements identified will
be made as soon as possible. Internal control systems and
procedures will be subject to regular audits to provide assurance
that they are effective in countering bribery and corruption.
15.2 All workers are responsible for the success
of this policy and should ensure they use it to disclose any
suspected danger or wrongdoing.
15.3 Workers are invited to comment on this
policy and suggest ways in which it might be improved. Comments,
suggestions and queries should be addressed to the Group Human
Resources Director
15.4 This policy does not form part of any
employee's contract of employment and it may be amended at any
time.
16. CONTACTS
Group Internal Audit Manager - David
Chadaway
Tel. +44 (0)1926 455747
Mobile + 44 (0)7775 673887
Group Human Resources Director - Paul Tonks
Tel. +44 (0)1926 457470
Mobile +44 (0)7899 063520
Group Finance Director - Shaun Smith
Tel. +44 (0) 1926 455741
Revised 10.02.12 (version 2)
Next review date: 21 January 2013
Appendix 1. - Potential risk scenarios: "red flags"
The following is a list of possible red flags that may arise during the course of you working for us and which may raise concerns under various anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. The list is not intended to be exhaustive and is for illustrative purposes only.
If you encounter any of these red flags while working for us, you must report them promptly to your business unit senior manager or the Group Internal Audit Manager or follow the procedures set out in the Group Whistleblowing Policy:
a) you become aware that a third party engages in, or has been accused of engaging in, improper business practices
b) you learn that a third party has a reputation for paying bribes, or requiring that bribes are paid to them, or has a reputation for having a "special relationship" with foreign government officials;
c) a third party insists on receiving a commission or fee payment before committing to sign up to a contract with us, or carrying out a government function or process for us;
d) a third party requests payment in cash and/or refuses to sign a formal commission or fee agreement, or to provide an invoice or receipt for a payment made;
e) a third party requests that payment is made to a country or geographic location different from where the third party resides or conducts business;
f) a third party requests an unexpected additional fee or commission to "facilitate" a service;
g) a third party demands lavish entertainment or gifts before commencing or continuing contractual negotiations or provision of services;
h) a third party requests that a payment is made to "overlook" potential legal violations;
i) a third party requests that you provide employment or some other advantage to a friend or relative;
j) you receive an invoice from a third party that appears to be non-standard or customised;
k) a third party insists on the use of side letters or refuses to put terms agreed in writing;
l) you notice that we have been invoiced for a commission or fee payment that appears large given the service stated to have been provided;
m) a third party requests or requires the use of an agent, intermediary, consultant, distributor or supplier that is not typically used by or known to us;
n) you are offered an unusually generous gift or offered lavish hospitality by a third party.