OXTS expects anyone acting in its name (in particular its officers, employees and sales representatives)
to adhere to its anti-bribery code of conduct. Any infringement of the code of conduct will be treated
seriously and will have serious consequences for its perpetrators: sales representatives will face a full
review and possible termination of their relationship with OXTS.
This code of conduct provides clear guidelines on the behaviours which OXTS expects from all its sales
representatives. Practically the code of conduct promotes behaviour which dispels the impression that
associates of OXTS are seeking to gain advantages by bribing others or are opened to receiving bribes in
exchange for improper performance of their duties. It is a condition of appointment as sales
representative of OXTS that all staff and associates of the sales representative will behave in a manner
consistent with the code of conduct set out below.
5.1 Understand the policy
The OXTS anti-bribery needs to be known and understood by representatives of OXTS, who should:
- Take prevention of bribery seriously: it is very important to OXTS.
- Take the time to read, understand and discuss the anti-bribery policy.
- Take training offered by OXTS on the prevention of bribery seriously.
- Consider and discuss the code of conduct and other practical implications with OXTS.
- Agree to follow the code of conduct as a condition of their appointment as sales representative
5.2 Send a clear message
The OXTS anti-bribery needs to be communicated widely, clearly and strongly. Sales representatives
should:
- Take appropriate opportunities to be clear that bribery has no place in OXTS business practices.
- Turn down requests of bribery; let OXTS know if business has been lost as a consequence.
Sales representatives will never be reprimanded for losing business by refusing to use bribery.
5.3 Gifts
Small gifts are an accepted part of good business relations, but gifts can be used to mask bribery. Sales
representative of OXTS should:
- Make it clear to representatives and customers that occasional small gifts can be accepted, but
that regular or higher value gifts will be reported openly and may have to be turned down.
- Make it clear to representatives and customers that gifts, although gratefully received as a
gesture of general good will, do not create any obligation on behalf of OXTS.
- Be open with OXTS about gifts received.
- Offer only small occasional gifts to potential customers in the pursuit of good general business
relations and preferably offer OXTS-branded promotional gifts.
5.4 Hospitality and entertainment
It is general courtesy and accepted OXTS practice that visitors should be looked after, but hospitality can
be used to disguise bribery. Sales representatives should:
- Be good hosts to (potential) customers and business associates, but without resorting to lavish
or excessive entertainment and hospitality.
- Discuss with OXTS situations where significant entertainment is expected by customers.
5.5 Other forms of bribery
OXTS expects its representatives to be careful in avoiding any transactions which may disguise bribery.
Sales representatives should:
- Be aware that OXTS does not pay facilitation payments.
- Be aware that OXTS does not make political donations.
- Be aware that OXTS only makes charitable donations authorised by the Board of Directors.
- Apply OXTS policy with regards to such payments when acting on behalf of OXTS.
5.6 Reporting concerns and openness
OXTS encourages transparency and will always support whistle-blowers on ethical issues such as antibribery. Sales representatives should:
- Let OXTS know if business has been lost as a consequence of refusing to use bribery.
- Discuss with OXTS situations where bribery has been requested.
- Be prepared to share relevant commercial documents with OXTS, if bribery is plausible or
suspected.
- Sales representatives will always be praised by OXTS for reporting (suspected) bribery.