Survey uncovers lack of employer awareness of Bribery Act

Although the Bribery Act has now been in force for more than a year, 44 per cent of UK businesses remain unaware of it, according to recent research. The news will interest many of those firms that entrust Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) with their HR outsourcing.

According to the study, which was undertaken by professional services provider Ernst & Young and involved the polling of 50 procurement managers and directors from UK organisations, 76 per cent of larger organisations, defined as those with a turnover of over £50 million, signalled an awareness of the legislation. This compared to a mere 36 per cent for medium-sized businesses, or those that generated a turnover of between £5 million and £50 million.

Ernst & Young expressed particular concern about the results relating to mid-market firms, given that processes and systems for addressing the risk of bribery were less likely to be in place at such companies.

Partner at Ernst & Young, John Smart commented: "The Bribery Act has been with us for more than a year and it's a concern that so many firms still don't know what it is and what it means for them. We shouldn't need to wait for a company to be fined under the Act before we are spurred into taking the appropriate precautions to manage bribery risk."

Smart said that the mid-market and manufacturers could not afford to delay in getting to grips with their bribery risks. He added that the findings of the survey indicated either an underestimation of the risk of bribery, a feeling among employers that they lacked the education to adequately guide their staff on the subject, or a failure to recognise the urgent need to ensure Bribery Act compliance for their organisations and suppliers.

These results emphasis what our human resource consultants are currently advising clients, i.e. that employers need to ensure that they have clear anti-bribery policies and procedures in place right across their businesses and supply chains, and that relevant staff have received sufficient training.

Under the Bribery Act 2010, which has been in force since 1 July 2011, it is an offence to offer, promise or give a bribe, as well as to request, agree to receive or accept a bribe. The evident lack of awareness of the legislation across the UK only makes it all the more important for HR support clients to focus now on putting in place robust policies and procedures to combat the risk of bribery.

The employment law specialists at Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) are pragmatic and skilled, and can assist employers in keeping up to date with relevant developments in employment legislation, ensure that employment documentation remains complaint, train managers in the associated policies and procedures and advise on their implementation.

Editor’s Note: Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.