Supporting staff to fight corruption : Companies rise to the challenge by setting the right example

Purpose – This paper aims to explain the nature of bribery in the workplace and puts forward suggestions about how to end it. It also provides examples of bribery legislation in the UK, continental Europe and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines the challenge for companies, how to make the right decisions and the need to encourage speak-up. Findings – It is argued that offering staff support, whether with decision-making tools or an accessible and confidential speak-up line, can go some way toward stamping out bribery and corruption. Practical implications – This paper advances the view that the culture of an organization is ultimately driven by its values and is set by the tone at the top. Leaders who regularly talk about ethical issues, support staff to uphold ethical standards and behave in an open and transparent way, send the message to all employees, and to the wider world, that the fight against corruption is taken seriously. Social implications – This paper highlights the need to create a culture of integrity and openness, where ethical dilemmas arising from doing business in corruption hot-spots are discussed and employees feel supported to do the right thing. Originality/value – A set of recommendations is provided to help organizations to prevent bribery in the workplace.