Check company's gift policy

Be careful when receiving gifts from outsiders

As Christmas approaches, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce is reminding workers to check company policies regarding accepting gifts from outsiders.

Chamber chief executive Darrin Walsh said the best way to avoid embarrassment was to check your company's policy about receiving gifts, if it had one, or to ask your boss.

"Coming from an ANZ banking background, a lot of banks and big corporations have these policies in place so you need to be aware of them.

"They are usually there to cover fringe benefit tax issues, but I've found most businesses are quite flexible, so talk to your manager.

"Otherwise, make sure your business is aware so they are recorded and they are not seen as a bribe.

"But when you have a legitimate client who wants to reward someone for the service they have received, most companies will be pretty flexible."

Mr Walsh said management decisions would be based on what sort of gift it was and its value.

A Waiariki Institute of Technology spokesperson said the institute had a "windfalls" procedure in place with eight key steps to determine how to distribute any "windfall".

"Generally it should be received by a chief executive or marketing manager and they determine the best way to go forward.

"If it's deemed to be quite valuable consultation will be done with the CEO and senior managers. These could be things like overseas or domestic travel or events."

The spokesperson said the procedure did not include small tokens of appreciation or Christmas presents.

Rotorua Lakes Council's policy toward staff receiving gifts from outside sources has a number of rules based on the value of gifts received by staff and "does need to be transparent to ensure it does not affect the council's decisions making, as this could be perceived as compromising our impartiality or integrity", the policy states.

"Staff may generally accept unsolicited gifts of low value that are offered on an infrequent basis. Gifts of more than $50 in value should be declared to the staff member's departmental manager who will determine whether it is appropriate for the gift to be retained personally by the staff member or used by the council.

"Higher value gifts ($100 or more) should be recorded in a council gifts register and remain property of the council."

Lakes District Health Board communications officer Sue Wilkie said the board had a policy in place "outlining that staff shall not accept any gift, service, or benefit under circumstances where the employee knows, or ought to know, that it could affect their present or future performance and position responsibilities".

"In respect of gifts, the policy outlines the steps that need to occur so that no issues of integrity, transparency and inappropriate receipt of gifts arise."

Tips when accepting gifts at work

* Check your company's policy

* Make your boss aware if the gift is expensive

* Be transparent so it doesn't affect your integrity

* Don't accept gifts if it will affect your performance and position responsibilities