Political activity and trade association policy

Principles

  • Rolls-Royce engages in Political activity - including Political advocacy - to communicate with political stakeholders. This includes the development of policies relevant to our business and our industry.
  • In doing this, we will comply strictly and fully with all relevant legal standards and requirements.
  • All employees, and anyone acting on behalf of Rolls-Royce, engaged in Political activity must act with honesty, integrity and transparency at all times and in line with Our Code and the ABC Policy.
  • Rolls-Royce does not make Political donations.
  • Rolls-Royce does not engage in activity that favours one Political party over another.
  • Trade associations, Industry groups and Think tanks are a route by which Rolls-Royce can seek to influence policy. Any organisation we work with must meet our standards – see the Additional Guidance section below.

We

  • always inform the relevant Government Relations Team before engaging in any Political activity including:
    • Political advocacy (either directly or via a third party), including responding to consultations and policy submissions; and
    • any other engagement involving Political stakeholders.
  • do not comment on Political party matters and, if in doubt, we consult the relevant Government Relations Team for advice;
  • obtain approval through the Trade Association and Corporate Membership Tool before renewing or entering into a new membership with a Trade association, Industry group or Think tank.  See political activity and trade associations standards document for more information;
  • limit contact with Political stakeholders during Election periods;
  • obtain approval from our line manager before taking any time out of work to carry out Personal political activities, and keep a record of that time off via the relevant HR process or systems.  If you are unsure how to record this type of absence, please contact your Government Relations or HR Team for advice;
  • inform the relevant Government Relations Team of any proposed secondments either into or from the offices of Political stakeholders.
  • avoid engagement with Think tanks that make direct contributions to registered political parties.
  • do not second colleagues into Political parties; and
  • recognize that certain Rolls-Royce employees in the United States have a right to organize Political Action Committees and we comply with all laws and regulations governing them. The Rolls-Royce Employee Political Action Committee is administered by the company and supported by voluntary employee contributions. Our PAC is nonpartisan and supports Democrat and Republican Members of Congress. 

Leaders

Our general expectations of leaders in relation to Our Code and Group Policies are set out in the introduction.

Select Tabs

Our Code
Take a look back at our Code principles related to this policy:

Additional Guidance
Contacts
Some of these are internal links and only available if accessing from a Rolls-Royce GAD network asset. 

Take a look back at our Code principles related to this policy:

Our Code

Did you know our Code is available as an app. Our Code app is currently undergoing maintenance and will be available again by the end of 2024.

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Did you know our Code is available as an app. Our Code app is currently undergoing maintenance and will be available again by the end of 2024.

Download on the app store – link to website (opens in a new window)