Bribery of employees

Employees receiving bribes

Nature

Bribery of employees is giving material benefit to an employee or agent, without the employer knowing, with the intention of influencing the conduct of the employee to the detriment of the employer. Receiving, soliciting or agreeing to accept material benefit for conduct detrimental to the benefit of one's employer is receiving bribes.

Background

Bribery of employees emerged as a recognized global concern during the rapid industrialization of the 19th and 20th centuries, when expanding corporate structures exposed vulnerabilities to illicit influence. High-profile scandals, such as the Lockheed bribery cases of the 1970s, heightened international awareness and prompted the development of anti-bribery conventions. Over time, cross-border business and complex supply chains have further revealed the pervasive and evolving nature of employee bribery across diverse sectors and regions.