What
conflicts of interest exist in your workplace? How can they be resolved?
Observation and Experience
Conflict of interest in the workplace
refers to a situation where an employee engages in a specific activity on
behalf of the company and this employee has private interest and benefit on the
outcome of this activity. In a company, it is the procurement team who
coordinates with different supplier to provide raw materials and goods for the
company. They follow a bidding process in order to compare which supplier is
the best. However, in our company, there are times wherein we are the one who
is with directly contacting supplies because the procurement team cannot accommodate
all our request. What we do is to look for suppliers and forward it to the
procurement team to check. There are also instances where suppliers directly
contact us to market their products.
It is usual that some of us
receive random gifts from the suppliers so that we would avail their services.
Last year, one supplier actually sent two dogs for my colleague. The company
wants us to avail their services offered. Aside from that, other suppliers also
give LED TV, gifts certificates, and other products in order to build
relationship with us. This scenario is a form of commercial bribe. Commercial
bribe is a form of bribery which involves corrupt dealing between an employee
and potential supplier with an understanding that the potential supplier will
have an advantage over the competitor. To avoid this activity, as much as
possible we do not accept any gift from the suppliers and inform them regarding
the correct bidding process.
Analysis and Reflection
It is the responsibility of the company to educate its
employees regarding the correct and ethical practices in doing business. In our
business unit, we do not tolerate this unethical activity. We are guided by the
company’s code of conduct which states that:
“1.5.1 Loyalty, impartiality and
conflict of interest
We have the right to lead a private life but when at work,
we’ll be open and loyal to the company. We won’t do anything that conflicts
with or appears to conflict with the company’s interests, or be directly or
indirectly involved in any activity which may interfere with our objectivity in
carrying out our duties.
Conflict of interest could involve any parties that have a
relationship with the company or could have such a relationship (such as
guests, suppliers, contractors, present or prospective employees, competitors
or outside business interest). We won’t be influenced by personal and family
interests at all.
We’ll use our judgement to decide on what is, or could be, a
conflict of interest. We are smart enough and wise enough to do that. In our
course of work, we frequently have to exercise judgement on even more difficult
matters.
Basic rules – prompt and full disclosures of everything, AND
ASK FOR HELP IF NOT SURE!”
This code of conduct addresses conflict of interest and
impartiality that an employee might come across during his work. This would
guide them to respond to issues relating to loyalty, bribery, and conflict of
interest. It gives us the freedom to choose what is right and beneficial for
the company and not for ourselves.
Commitment and Action
Not all employees recognize that
their behavior is an illustration of conflict of interest within the workplace.
However, as an employee, it is our responsibility to evaluate our work and see
if there’s anything that we do which is against the code of conduct of the
company. If I come across commercial bribery in the future, it is my obligation
to say no to them. Also, I will never get suppliers who practices this unethical
conduct. And in doubt, I will fully disclose this with my manager and seek for
his guidance and help.
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