Business Ethics

Conflicts of interest can occur at any time. Select one of the two scenarios and elaborate on what you would do in that situation.

1. Your supplier in Latin America sends you two airline tickets as a token of appreciation for doing business with them. Your company does not allow employees to accept gifts over $50. It is customary in Latin America to give a gift for doing business. Your supplier would be insulted if you did not accept the gift, threatening the relationship.
2. You work for a computer parts and software distributor. Your co-worker and friend is starting up a second business installing and servicing personal computers. She asks you not to disclose any knowledge of her new business. She has been missing a great deal of work because of the startup time the new businesses requires, and the work she is missing falls on your lap. You do not want to hurt your friendship, but you do not feel it is fair the extra work falls on your lap.