New Anti-Corruption Handbook released today
Article:
“Telenor’s zero tolerance on corruption has been crystal clear for very many years. The new Anti-Corruption Handbook is a practical guidance on how to understand and live our values,” says Pål Wien Espen, Executive Vice President and Head of Group Legal and Compliance.
He is responsible for Telenor’s Anti-Corruption Programme and for the new Anti-Corruption Handbook which is released today:
“A revised Anti-Corruption Policy was implemented in Telenor in 2012. To aid in implementation, our Anti-Corruption Handbook provides a guide on how to deal with issues such as gifts, events and representations, facilitation payments, public authorities and middlemen and business partners,” says Pål Wien Espen and continues…
“The new Anti-Corruption Handbook is available on Telenor’s intranet WoW and on our external website www.telenor.com. All employees shall have the Handbook available, take part in Anti-Corruption training programmes and other implementation activities. The Handbook provides an answer to frequently asked questions, or where to seek advice when in doubt. The Handbook is a practical tool to help each employee to follow Telenor’s ethical values and formal policies and to make the right decisions.”
See video-interview with Telenor’s Head of Legal and Compliance Pål Wien Espen on the new Anti-Corruption Handbook.
“What is Telenor’s stance on corruption and bribery?”
“Telenor is firmly opposed to corruption in all forms. For Telenor, anti-corruption is not only a legal obligation and an ethical standpoint. Corruption is a threat to business and society in all countries. It undermines legitimate business activities and distorts competition. It ruins reputation and exposes individuals to risks. Telenor has zero tolerance on corruption and is committed to doing business in accordance with the highest ethical standards.”
“How does Telenor secure that this policy is known and lived up to throughout the group?”
“At Telenor, we regard top-level commitment to our anti-corruption work as vital for establishing an open and transparent enterprise-wide culture in which bribery is unacceptable. Top-level management is committed to sending clear, unambiguous and regular messages to all staff and business partners that corruption and bribery is unacceptable. Telenor’s Board of Director’s has also established an Ethics and Sustainability Committee which supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to ethics and compliance.”
“Are policies and top-level commitment enough to ensure that all employees and persons acting on behalf of Telenor actually commit to these high standards?”
“Commitment from Management and Board of Directors is crucial. However – at Telenor we are all responsible for understanding the important legal and ethical issues that affect our business and for acting with integrity at all times. Integrity means complying with both the spirit and the letter of the law and regulations that governs our industry. Telenor’s ethical standards are set out in our Code of Conduct and governing documents, to which all employees and business partners must adhere. We call this “The Telenor Way Framework.”
“What does the Anti-Corruption framework regulate?”
“Telenor Group has implemented an Anti-Corruption Programme rooted in Telenor’s Code of Conduct and the Group Policy Anti-Corruption. Among the elements are requirements for implementation of the programme, risk assessments and monitoring, reporting and regular training of all employees. Our Anti-Corruption Handbook provides a practical tool describing what each employee needs to know, what they must do and what they need to be aware of in different situations and dilemmas.”
“How can for instance an employee know if a business arrangement is to be seen as corruption or not?”
“Corruption takes many forms. It is commonly understood that transferring a large amount of cash to a government official or a middleman in order to secure a license or a contract is a bribe. But there are other payments and business arrangements, such as relationship-based business practices, that can be more difficult to categorize, at least in countries where the business culture may be different. All our employees need to know how to navigate such grey areas that may not be illegal, but still not in compliance with Telenor’s policies. Our guidelines shall help each employee to make the right decisions. When in doubt, the clear advice is: seek advice from your superior or Local Legal.”
“What can an employee in Telenor do if he or she has any concerns whether an illegal or unethical action has taken place?”
“All employees may report any concerns to the Local Ethics & Compliance Manager, or Telenor Group’s compliance functions at the “Hotline to Compliance”. According to Telenor’s Code of Conduct, reporting shall be treated confidentially.”
“How does Telenor check the integrity of business partners?”
“We recognize that our business partners will be associated with Telenor. It is crucial to ensure that a business partner is reputable and not engaged in corrupt or fraudulent activities. All engagements with business partners, whether joint venture partners, agents, consultants, middlemen and other intermediaries who act as a point of contact between Telenor and a third party, shall undergo an integrity due diligence. The integrity due diligence shall cover anti-corruption.”
“Telenor is engaged in countries ranking high on corruption perception indexes. How does Telenor deal with doing business in such countries, without compromising on Telenor’s zero-tolerance policy?”
“Telenor’s governing documents sets one single standard which shall govern all business activities, regardless of where such activities take place. That said, it is not possible to achieve implementation of Telenor’s policies without addressing local differences. All Business Units have therefore a responsibility to assess local risks and challenges. Local policies and manuals shall address how such risks shall be managed in accordance with Telenor’s zero tolerance-policy.”
“How does Telenor enforce compliance with Telenor’s standards?”
“We work systematically to uncover any non-compliance. Telenor carries the responsibility of taking such action as it considers appropriate to investigate any suspected violations or breaches of applicable laws and Telenor’s Code of Conduct. If a violation has in fact occurred, Telenor will take such disciplinary or preventive actions as it deems appropriate,” concludes Pål Wien Espen, EVP and Head of Group Legal and Compliance.