Employees should advise their Manager or the Chief Executive Office in writing if it could be perceived that they have conflict of interest in relation to any transaction. Conflict of interest could arise in any transaction where an independent observer would consider that there may be a lack of independence or objectivity.
Examples of possible situations where there could be a conflict of interest include the following:
- Hiring or recommending the hiring of an employee that is family;
- Engaging or recommending the engagement of a contractor/consultant/temporary employee that is family;
- Using or recommending the use of a supplier that is owned/managed by family;
- Using or recommending the use of a supplier that offers you a 'deal' as an incentive;
- Using or recommending the use of a supplier that you have an ownership or other interest in;
- Doing work for no charge or a reduced charge for friend of family.
Where a potential conflict of interest may exist, an employee should not initiate or approve the transaction. It must, in all instances, be referred to the employee’s Manager or the Chief Executive Officer or the Chair or the Board/Finance Committee for approval.