Amy Bess Comments on Conflict of Interest Policies and Disclosure of Executive Consensual Relationships in The Washington Post
Shareholder and Chair of the Labor and Employment practice area Amy L. Bess commented in The Washington Post on the need for executive disclosure and proper policies in light of the recent departure of outdoor apparel and gear retailer REI’s CEO for failing to disclose a personal relationship with a “leader of another organization in the outdoor industry.”
According to The Post, the inquiry found that no financial misconduct resulted from the relationship. However, Ms. Bess states, “the similarity between the conflict of interest problem here and a personal romantic relationship between a CEO and employees is the need to disclose — that was his biggest problem." Although she noted that she had not seen REI’s policy, “my guess is, like most if not all conflict of interest policies, it requires disclosure if you have a relationship with another party or individual that could reflect even an appearance of impropriety, if not an actual one.”
To read the article in full, please click here.
To learn more about workplace counseling and policy training sessions offered by Vedder Price Labor & Employment attorneys, please click here or contact Amy L. Bess, +1 (202) 312 3361, or any Vedder Price attorney with whom you have worked.
Vedder Thinking | News Amy Bess Comments on Conflict of Interest Policies and Disclosure of Executive Consensual Relationships in The Washington Post
Media Mention
February 14, 2019
Shareholder and Chair of the Labor and Employment practice area Amy L. Bess commented in The Washington Post on the need for executive disclosure and proper policies in light of the recent departure of outdoor apparel and gear retailer REI’s CEO for failing to disclose a personal relationship with a “leader of another organization in the outdoor industry.”
According to The Post, the inquiry found that no financial misconduct resulted from the relationship. However, Ms. Bess states, “the similarity between the conflict of interest problem here and a personal romantic relationship between a CEO and employees is the need to disclose — that was his biggest problem." Although she noted that she had not seen REI’s policy, “my guess is, like most if not all conflict of interest policies, it requires disclosure if you have a relationship with another party or individual that could reflect even an appearance of impropriety, if not an actual one.”
To read the article in full, please click here.
To learn more about workplace counseling and policy training sessions offered by Vedder Price Labor & Employment attorneys, please click here or contact Amy L. Bess, +1 (202) 312 3361, or any Vedder Price attorney with whom you have worked.
