We are pleased to advise that the Board of Governors approved the Conflict of Interest Policy on May 31, 2017. It is now posted on our Policy Web Site: Conflict of Interest Policy.
The new Conflict of Interest Policy revises and updates the previous version that existed at Sheridan. The purpose of the Conflict of Interest Policy is to ensure integrity, transparency and public confidence at all times. Sheridan takes all reasonable steps to ensure that Actual, Potential, and Perceived Conflict of Interest (as defined in the policy) situations are avoided and, if known, dealt with in a fair, timely and consistent manner.
The Conflict of Interest Policy provides guidelines to all Members of Sheridan (as defined in the Policy) to understand their obligations and to support the avoidance of placing oneself in any Actual, Perceived, or Potential Conflict of Interest situation. It also requires Members of Sheridan to proactively disclose if they are aware of any Actual, Potential, and/or Perceived Conflicts of Interest.
Specifically, Employees have an obligation to disclose if they are in a Conflict of Interest. The Conflict of Interest Policy also outlines the obligations regarding Conflict of Interest and ethical conduct for Research (as defined in the Policy).
Some examples of Conflicts of Interest include:
- Depending on the circumstances, any intimate, sexual, and/or close personal relationships between employees;
- Any sexual relationship between an employee with supervising responsibilities and an employee who reports to them, directly or indirectly;
- An employee hiring a family member or friend such that a family member or friend reports to them directly or indirectly;
- An employee engaging in any personal outside activity and/or undertaking that is in competition, direct or indirect with Sheridan;
- A member of Sheridan seeking to use his or her affiliation with Sheridan to gain direct or indirect financial or other material benefit for themselves or their family members or friends;
- An employee taking steps to influence the acquisition of goods or services for Sheridan from any corporation or other entity in which an employee or those with whom the employee has a non-arm’s length relationship or holds a controlling interest, either directly or indirectly.
Please refer to the Conflict of Interest policy for more examples of a Conflict of Interest.
Be sure to note that the Conflict of Interest policy sets out the obligations that are in addition to any Member of Sheridan-specific Code of Conduct or Conflict of Interest provisions that may also apply.
Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with this important policy and the disclosure process.
You can reach out to the Office of General Counsel if you have any specific questions regarding the Conflict of Interest Policy and/or the Conflict of Interest Declaration Form.
Thank you in advance for reading this memo and educating yourself with respect to Sheridan’s policies.
Office of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
