The Acceptance of Gifts by ECU Staff Policy outlines the responsibilities ECU staff have when they are offered gifts by internal or external parties.
Staff shall not accept gifts in circumstances where the acceptance of the gift may be considered to create a conflict of interest with their participation in a University activity. Staff are encouraged to declare gifts, regardless of value, if they are in doubt about whether there could be any conflict of interest in them being offered, or accepting, the gift.
As a general rule gifts valued at $100 or less are considered nominal. Staff may accept nominal gifts provided that they will not be, or will not be perceived to be, compromised as a result.
Staff receiving more than one (1) gift from the same supplier or person within a twelve (12) month period, are required to declare the gifts by completing and submitting the Gifts Declaration Form. This is required regardless of the value of the gifts.
Staff may decline nominal Gifts valued at $100 or less without declaring the gifts. Declined gifts valued at $100 or more must be declared.
Staff members have an obligation to declare relevant accepted or declined gifts using the relevant Gifts Declaration Form within five (5) days of being offered the gift. Staff members must not accept the gift if they cannot truthfully complete the Declaration.
Conflicts of interest that arise as a result of the University providing staff members with gifts or when staff members are providing gifts to each other, are to be declared by the relevant staff members in accordance with the requirements of the Conflicts of Interest policy.
Staff are reminded that they should not be providing gifts to other staff members in order to obtain a personal benefit or advantage. The ECU Code of Conduct provides that “No staff member shall elicit the improper influence or interest of any person to obtain promotion, transfer or other advantage”. Staff engaging in such conduct may be subject to University sanctioning.