Governance for good management : Anti-corruption course

Both the Code of Business Ethics and Group-wide guidelines seek to actively counter corruption by linking individual actions to our core values. Since 2000, workshops have been held to increase employee awareness of the issues. 2007 saw the launch of an e-learning program. To date, all Market Unit employees – our primary target group and 65 percent of our workforce – have taken the course. Anti-corruption training is also a mandatory part of induction for new employees.

Ericsson operates in a large number of countries with different rules and regulations. Globally we strive to raise employee awareness of the importance of not engaging in corruptive behavior, and to have clear global guidelines.

The key messages we express to our employees are:

• "accepted business practice” or “everybody is doing it” are never excuses.
• corruption is never of benefit to Ericsson.
• practically anything of value can potentially constitute a bribe depending on the circumstances.
• benefits should be addressed to the company and not to an individual employee.
• no deal is big enough when brand value is at stake.
• whenever in doubt, always seek advice.

The anti-corruption course describes various forms of corruption, their consequences and offers guidelines on how to deal with the issues.

We have run workshops, training sessions and an e-learning program with our businesses around the world to raise understanding and develop the tools and resources needed to roll out the anti-corruption message to employees.

The objectives of the course are for employees to:

• understand the importance of not engaging in corruptive behavior.
• identify potentially questionable situations.
• determine acceptable behavior and so take responsibility for their actions.
• escalate issues internally when necessary.