Trustworthy representatives
Our representatives must comply with our integrity standards and policies.
Trust with our representatives
We hold ourselves to high ethical standards, and we expect our representatives, who are the partners, vendors, consultants, and other companies who work on our behalf, to meet the standards we set for ourselves. We earn trust with our representatives when we return value to them, and don’t ask them to do anything we would not do ourselves.
Building trust through our representatives
- We rely on Microsoft representatives, who are the partners, suppliers, consultants, and other companies that work with us or on our behalf, to help us earn and maintain the trust of our customers and the public.
- We only work with representatives who we believe are honest and ethical, and who commit to do business ethically and follow integrity standards when working on our behalf.
- We prohibit improper payments by anyone who works with us or on our behalf. We require that all our representatives comply with the Anti-Corruption Policy for Microsoft Representatives.
Ensuring trustworthy representatives
We conduct risk-based due diligence and vetting of Microsoft representatives. The vetting process helps identify higher risk representatives and requires that certain representatives be subject to enhanced vetting for us to determine whether they will be permitted to start or renew a business relationship with our company, or any subsidiaries. The vetting process now uses data analytics to identify higher risk representatives through an algorithm that calculates a risk score for representatives based on internal and external data attributes. We began using these data analytics in 2019 to conduct due diligence on some representatives and continue to work on expanding this unique program.
Contracting with our representatives
Microsoft’s written agreements with our representatives require compliance with all applicable anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws. All forms of bribery, kickbacks, and any other corruption are prohibited. We require that our channel partners pass discounts onto government customers, and we tell these customers about the discounts provided for their benefit. The goal is to help ensure that no discount is used for any improper purpose. We continue to work to improve this process and ensure that customers gain the entire benefit of any discount we provide. Our agreements also outline conditions for authorized use of additional resellers and define requirements for valid end customer purchase commitments.
Supplier Code of Conduct
We expect our suppliers to commit to operating in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and to adhere to the Supplier Code of Conduct while doing business with or on behalf of Microsoft. Suppliers are responsible for training all employees who work on behalf of Microsoft. We provide required training on the Supplier Code of Conduct for suppliers.
Partner Code of Conduct
We expect our partners to embrace and continually improve and uphold Microsoft’s ethical and integrity standards, and to operate in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, while conducting business with Microsoft customers. Partners are responsible for training all employees who work on behalf of Microsoft and to adhere to the Partner Code of Conduct.
Download and read our Partner Code of Conduct
Anti-Corruption Policy for Microsoft representatives
Microsoft Corporation, and all of its subsidiaries and joint ventures worldwide ("Microsoft"), requires its channel partners (for example, resellers, software advisors, original equipment manufacturers, and distributors), suppliers, vendors, consultants, lobbyists, and any other third-party representative (collectively, "Microsoft Representatives") to comply with this anti-corruption policy.
Compliance with anti-corruption laws
Each Microsoft Representative is expected to conduct itself with high ethical standards and comply with the FCPA and all other applicable anti-corruption laws. No Microsoft Representative shall, directly or indirectly, promise, authorize, offer, or pay anything of value (including but not limited to gifts, travel, hospitality, charitable donations, or employment) to any Government Official1 or other party to improperly influence any act or decision of such official for the purpose of promoting the business interests of Microsoft in any respect, or to otherwise improperly promote the business interests of Microsoft in any respect.
No retaliation
Microsoft will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who has, in good faith, reported a possible violation of this Policy or who refused to participate in activities that violate this Policy.
Enforcement
In addition to its rights and remedies under applicable agreements, Microsoft may refer any representative who violates this policy to US or foreign authorities for criminal prosecution or other enforcement action or bring suit for damages.
Facilitating payments prohibited
A facilitating payment is a small payment to secure or expedite a routine, non-discretionary government action by a government official. Microsoft prohibits bribes of any kind, including facilitating payments.
Money laundering prohibited
No Microsoft representative shall use its relationship with Microsoft to disguise or attempt to disguise the sources of illegally obtained funds.
Representative due diligence
Microsoft conducts appropriate due diligence or "vetting" of Microsoft representatives. Representatives must comply with Microsoft’s vetting procedures. Microsoft appreciates the understanding and cooperation of representatives in providing accurate and timely information and responses to Microsoft’s vetting processes.
Providing government travel on Microsoft’s behalf is prohibited
Microsoft representatives are prohibited from paying expenses for travel, lodging, gifts, hospitality, or charitable contributions for government officials on Microsoft’s behalf. Representatives are prohibited from using Microsoft funds to pay expenses for travel, lodging, gifts, hospitality, or charitable contributions for government officials.
Accurate books and records
Representatives must record information, including payments and other compensation, in their corporate books, records and accounts accurately, in a timely manner, and in reasonable detail. No undisclosed or unrecorded accounts may be established for any purpose. False, misleading, incomplete, inaccurate, or artificial entries in the books and records are prohibited. Personal funds may not be used to accomplish what is otherwise prohibited by this policy or other Microsoft policies.
Reporting
Microsoft representatives are instructed to report any concerns about violation of this policy or applicable laws to their legal department and/or their ethics and compliance officer. Representatives should also report such concerns to Microsoft.
1 "Government Official" refers to all of the following: (i) any employee of a government entity or subdivision, including elected officials; (ii) any private person acting in a government role, even if just temporarily. (iii) officers and employees of companies that are owned or controlled by the government; (iv) candidates for political office; (v) political party officials; and (vi) officers, employees and representatives of public international organizations, such as the World Bank and United Nations. Representatives are also made aware that in certain countries and in certain industries, an individual who seems to work for a private entity might be considered a Government Official.
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