| Resources: |
| Conflict of Interest Policy |
If an employee is engaging in a side venture that competes with your business or someone in a position of authority making decisions that favour friends or family, these conflicts can subtly undermine trust, diminish productivity, and jeopardize your legal standing. It's essential to address these potential pitfalls proactively to maintain a healthy workplace environment.
That’s why having a Conflict of Interest Policy isn’t optional, it’s essential.
At DirectiveHR, we’ve created a comprehensive, ready-to-use Conflict of Interest Policy Template tailored for small businesses in Canada. Here's what makes it powerful, and why it might be the most important policy you implement this year.
What Is a Conflict of Interest (and Why Should You Care)?
A conflict of interest occurs when an employee's personal interests could interfere with their professional obligations to the company. Even the appearance of such a conflict can erode trust, create discord among team members, and lead to poor decision-making.
Gig work, side hustles, and remote positions are becoming increasingly common, the lines between personal and professional interests can easily blur, posing potential risks for businesses. To help address this issue, we provide a template that outlines clear boundaries, ensuring the protection of both your organization and its employees.
What’s Inside the DirectiveHR Conflict of Interest Policy Template?
Our policy is more than just a legal formality, it’s a well-structured guide that walks you and your team through the real-world challenges small businesses face. Here’s what you’ll get:
Clear Examples of Conflicts
From employees working for competitors to accepting gifts or running a side business, our policy includes practical examples that make it easy to understand what’s acceptable and what isn’t.
Why it matters: Real-life scenarios make the policy relatable and help avoid confusion.
Guidance on Outside Employment
Let’s face it: many employees have second jobs. But when does that become a problem for you? Our policy outlines when outside work is allowed, how it should be reported, and when it crosses the line.
Bonus: We include a note about using an “Additional Employment Form” so you can track approvals and stay in control.
Legally Required Rest Between Shifts
Do your employees get the proper downtime between jobs? If not, you could be risking burnout, or even breaking the law. This section reminds you to comply with your jurisdiction’s requirements and gives you a simple way to monitor fatigue-related risks.
Note to buyers: You can customize this section for your local legislation using our embedded guidance notes.
Use of Company Resources
Do your employees know they can’t use your printers, vans, or software for their side gigs? You’d be surprised how often this boundary is crossed. Our policy spells it out clearly.
Hiring and Family Members
If your cousin’s daughter wants a job, great, but not if she’s reporting directly to her uncle. Our policy offers smart, practical rules for handling familial relationships at work.
Immediate family is defined clearly, so there’s no grey area.
Reporting Procedures That Protect Everyone
Whether it’s an honest mistake or something more serious, your team needs to feel safe reporting conflicts of interest. Our template includes a professional reporting process and strong anti-retaliation language.
Employees are assured they won’t face punishment for speaking up in good faith.
Acknowledgment Page Ready for Signatures
To make it enforceable, we include a ready-to-use employee acknowledgment section, ensuring everyone understands and agrees to the terms.
Why Use DirectiveHR's Policy Template?
- Professionally written and HR-approved
- Compliant with Canadian employment law
- Customization notes built right in
- Easy to implement: no HR team required
- Works perfectly in employee handbooks or onboarding kits
Final Thought: Prevention Is Better Than Damage Control
Conflicts of interest are often unintentional, but they can still damage your business. With DirectiveHR’s Conflict of Interest Policy Template, you’re not just checking a compliance box, you’re setting the tone for integrity and professionalism across your team.
Empower your business by downloading the policy today! Protect what you've built before challenges emerge. Take proactive steps now to ensure your peace of mind and secure your future. Don't leave your success to chance, act decisively and be ready for anything!
