COMPLIANCE CHATTER

Fall Series

It's that time of year when we want to spread some joy and cheer. Giving a gift can be a great expression of appreciation and thankfulness, so long as we remember the Gift Rules to avoid violating the State Code of Ethics!

At UConn, giving and receiving gifts by employees is regulated by Connecticut law and University policy. Specifically, the University Guide to the State Code of Ethics outlines the restrictions on gift exchanges for state employees, known as the Gift Rules.

A gift is anything of value, that is directly and personally received by a UConn employee.

Examples of a gift include, but are not limited to: tickets to an event, meals, discounts, gratuities, physical items, cash, or gift cards.

Generally, UConn employees are not permitted to accept gifts from a prohibited donor. If you are offered a gift and are unsure if the individual giving the gift is a prohibited donor, check prior to accepting the gift.

A prohibited donor is an individual or entity that is a registered lobbyist with Connecticut, is currently doing or is seeking to do business with the University, or is a prequalified contractor with the Department of Administrative Services.

Medical staff may have additional restrictions related to gifts offered by vendors or patients. Check with your supervisor regarding your departmental gift policy.

Gifts between supervisors and subordinates are limited to $99.99 per gift. And pooling money to avoid this limitation is not permitted (e.g., 3 subordinates contributing $50 each for a $150 gift for a supervisor).

If your office receives a large gift basket from a grateful member of the public, a well-served business, or even an anonymous person who appreciated the support they received, you have a few options:

• Accept the gift basket on behalf of an entire office if the per-person cost will be reduced to less than $10. This makes the gift comply with the gift exception for token items of $10 or less per-person.
• Donate such item to a charity provided a personal tax benefit is not derived from the donation.

Looking for a quick reference guide on the Gift Rules? Download this poster to keep for yourself, send to colleagues, or even hang in a shared office space for everyone to view!

Navigating the Gift Rules can be tricky. If you have any questions, reach out to any of the following offices for assistance.

Test your knowledge on the Gift Rules by reviewing some quick questions.

Review additional Compliance Clips and Chatters.