Conflicts of Interest

We put Integrity in action when…

We Avoid and Manage Conflicts and Potential Conflicts of Interest

We must not engage in activities that create, or even appear to create, conflict between our personal interests and the interests of the company. These situations arise where a personal interest or family or other relationship makes it difficult for an individual to represent the company fully and fairly. Conflicts of interest can arise in any part of Caterpillar's operations. The most serious conflicts of interest usually arise where an employee or former employee has authority to spend the company's money, has authority to hire or engage a person outside the company or has information that could be valuable to a person outside the company. A conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest very often arises when an employee is offered a gift, favor, or entertainment. While some of this activity is part of a normal business relationship, we do not accept gifts, favors, or entertainment that have a value greater than we could reasonably reciprocate or that obligate or appear to obligate us to act in any way contrary to the law, Caterpillar business interests or Caterpillar's ethical business practices.