Collusion?

So, at work I basically spend corporate dollars to buy services at a discount for our customers then turn around and bill them with a mark-up.

I have several vendors I choose from to perform these services. I am not restricted to whom I choose as a vendor. Some of the vendors are very generous with lunches, gift cards and other "presents" (that my bosses are not aware that I receive) in recognition of our business relationship.

I find myself giving more business to the generous vendors than the ones who perform the same service without the kick-back, if you will.

I've received > $100 in gift cards this week alone from vendors. Is that wrong?

 

Yes it's wrong, but, just let your boss find out about your perks.

 

If I'm getting perks, I'm going to assume my colleagues are too. Management is not ignorant of the way business is "conducted" and are probably accountable for passing out perks to our customers.

This could be a lucrative "side job" if I can get vendor(s) to play ball. Them charge me $100 > than the going rate which of course gets passed to the customer as a "currency adjustment factor" or "fuel surcharge". Vendor sends me $50 for every transaction and away we go...

 

Does your company have a written policy about receiving gifts or other benefits?

 

Not that Im aware of. Things are really relaxed around here. Corporate environment like no other I've ever seen/experienced. As long as I/we get our work done and no one is bitching, we can pretty much come and go as we please. There's only about 20 of us in the office. People sometimes bring their kids to work, casual dress...etc.

 

I meant don't let your boss know (about the perks).

Anyhow, everybody might know about the under the table way of doing business, but if you bring it into the forefront, get confident that you're "protected," you might get in some deep shit.

 

Sounds to me like the way business is done all over the world. Only thing I'd make sure of is if there is a company policy against accepting gifts. I know my company has such a policy.