I recently went on a business trip with a female colleague to make an important advertising pitch to a potential client. After the pitch, we joined their executives for dinner and drinks. I went home after dinner, but my colleague, who had been flirting with one of the executives, stayed behind. The next morning, I saw her getting out of a taxi wearing the same clothing as the previous evening. We got the contract.
I've never discussed the situation with my colleague, but I suspect her late-night actions may have influenced the client's decision. Where's the line?
This is like one of those scenes in a movie where you see the clothes strewn about the bedroom floor. You don't have to see the action to know that what happened.
But this isn't Hollywood; it's business. If news of this sort of "business practice" were to go public - especially in the gossipy world of advertising - it could have grave implications for the reputations of both you and your client.
It's obvious that you don't agree with this sort of behavior. Lucky for you, it's not your problem.
Report exactly what you witnessed to your bosses immediately, and let them decide how to handle it. Whether this is worth turning into an issue is a decision for them to make.
Unfortunately, this is one of those situations where the more open and ethical your company is, the worse the consequences will be. The noble approach would be for your company to launch an investigation and get the client involved, but that's going to hang a Scarlett Letter over both of you (it took two to tango, after all).
This problem should be addressed internally, and quietly. Your bosses should question your colleague and, if she admits to taking the pitch where the sun doesn't shine, then she should be terminated immediately.
If she denies any wrongdoing, she should be informed that the circumstantial evidence is against her and she she should be barred from making any further business trips as a representative of the company.
She'll no doubt give you the hairy eyeball when you pass in the corridor, but the fault is on her, not you. Your silence would condone her actions, which is almost as bad. No one should stand for such behavior. That's the line.
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