New Bribery Laws do not threaten business hospitality
Speculation that Britain’s new Bribery laws threaten the future of corporate hospitality is largely misplaced, says GoodCorporation, a leading adviser in business ethics.
Entertaining clients can legitimately remain part of business life, but companies need to ensure that hospitality is proportionate and clearly designed to build on business relationships rather than influence decisions.
“In our experience, what most businesses lack is a clear and simple decision-making process. Deciding on corporate hospitality should be straightforward,” said Michael Littlechild director at GoodCorporation. “A simple decision tree can be put in place which will make it clear whether hospitality can be offered for 95 per cent of cases. There are always grey areas, but nothing like as complex as some commenters are suggesting.”
The GoodCorporation decision tree sets out an example process, which businesses can adapt or extend to help them decide on whether to offer hospitality. Whether an invitation is ‘of significant personal value to the recipient’ can be decided by judgment or by monetary limit. A useful rule of thumb might be to avoid hospitality that is valued at more than two hours’ pay of the guest.
GoodCorporation has ten year’s experience testing anti-corruption and management practices in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Posted: January 2011
Notes to Editors:
- Michael Littlechild is available for interviews, briefings or written comment
- GoodCorporation is a leading adviser in the field of business ethics, specialising in the assessment of responsible management and anti-corruption practices. For further information visit http://www.goodcorporation.com
Media Enquiries:
Sally McGeachie 020 8877 5300
sally.mcgeachie@goodcorporation.com