A conflict of interest arises when an employee is engaged in activity that could be detrimental to the company. This includes when an employee improperly uses their position with the company for personal gain or the gain of someone with whom they have a relationship. Improper use includes illegal behavior, as well as behavior that is unethical or questionable to a reasonable person. Some examples of a conflict of interest include:
- An employee requesting or requiring gifts or discounts in exchange for starting or continuing a business relationship with a client or vendor.
- An employee selecting a relative's company as a supplier when they have not produced the best proposal.
- An employee taking a second job working for a competitor and sharing confidential company information with the competitor.
- An employee taking a second job that interferes with their ability to do their work for the company at their full potential, whether due to scheduling, exhaustion, or some other factor.
How things appear, whether accurate or not, has a significant impact on the company's reputation, and employees should avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. If questions arise as to whether a certain activity or behavior is a conflict of interest, employees should speak with their manager or HR.
