We love getting gifts but a consultant says it’s unethical. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

My staff are sometimes sent gifts that may be perceived as inappropriately influencing a business decision.

My staff are very trustworthy and professional and the gifts have no impact on their capacity to carry out their work. There has never been a problem and, in fact, often the gifts are put in charity baskets or passed to those less financially fortunate.

But a consultant has recommended we ban gifts. Should we ban the consultant?

LS,
Sydney

Dear LS,

There is nothing more exciting than the day being interrupted by a gift-bearing courier with a large box tied with a fancy ribbon. And nothing less exciting that an ethics-talking consultant. Unfortunately, it is an issue and you do need a code of conduct around it. But even if you put in rules, there are many ways around them.

Take the rule that only gifts under $10 can be accepted. We had that rule at one place I worked and when a gift arrived, everyone stood around and valued the gift. Inevitably the consensus was that the gift would cost $9.99 and the relieved recipient took it home without a guilty conscience.

In another place I worked everyone made a great show of putting their gifts in the charity bin, which usually doubled as their handbag.

It does depend on your business, but perception matters!

Good luck,
Your Aunty B

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