What is the policy on gifts and gratuities?

What is the policy on gifts and gratuities?

• A. Decline or report gifts of substantial value; accept only nominal, non-influencing gifts; disclose when required.
• B. Accept all gifts regardless of value.
• C. Accept gifts of substantial value and ignore disclosure.
• D. Give gifts to influence future decisions.

Answer: (A)

Gifts and gratuities policies protect integrity by preventing conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety. The guiding rule is to avoid accepting anything of substantial value that could influence or appear to influence professional decisions; those gifts should be declined or reported through the proper channels, and disclosure is required when applicable. Smaller, nominal gifts that are unlikely to affect judgment can be accepted, but they should still be disclosed if the policy requires it. This approach preserves impartiality in dealings with clients, vendors, and others, and it also forbids using gifts to sway future decisions.

Gifts and gratuities policies protect integrity by preventing conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety. The guiding rule is to avoid accepting anything of substantial value that could influence or appear to influence professional decisions; those gifts should be declined or reported through the proper channels, and disclosure is required when applicable. Smaller, nominal gifts that are unlikely to affect judgment can be accepted, but they should still be disclosed if the policy requires it. This approach preserves impartiality in dealings with clients, vendors, and others, and it also forbids using gifts to sway future decisions.