Ethical Guidelines for Gift Acceptance:
Most organizations have strict policies on accepting gifts to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety.
Accepting gifts from suppliers can create a conflict of interest or influence future business decisions.
Appropriate Response to Gifts:
Returning the Tickets: Clearly communicates adherence to ethical standards and avoids any potential conflict of interest.
Accepting the Tickets: Could be seen as a violation of company policies, even if there is no direct association with future business.
Forwarding to Legal or Supervisor: Delegates the decision but does not immediately address the ethical consideration.
Conclusion: Returning the tickets with a courteous letter is the most appropriate and ethically sound response, maintaining transparency and avoiding potential conflicts.
Reference:
Institute for Supply Management (ISM) principles and standards of ethical supply management conduct Company-specific codes of conduct and ethics policies