Dear all,
It is timely to remind you of your obligations in relation to any gifts provided or received in the course of your work at Monash Health.
It is not unusual for employees to be offered gifts or hospitality in recognition of valued business relationships or a personal contribution they have made, especially towards Christmas and the end of the year.
While the giving and receiving of gifts is common practice in everyday life, as a public sector employee, accepting and providing gifts must be done with integrity and an understanding of what is considered acceptable practice.
The policies and procedures at Monash Health are clear and designed to ensure you are not placed in a compromising position by the acceptance or provision of a gift, benefit or hospitality.
Four important things to remember:
- Subject to the approval of their Director, employees may keep token offers of small consumables like chocolates or flowers, promotional items and modest hospitality less than the nominal value of $50;
- Any gift, benefit or hospitality that is offered which exceeds the nominal value of $50 must be declared using the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Declaration form and submitted for a decision as to whether it may be accepted or not, to your Executive Director within 14 days;
- Executive Directors will determine whether a gift, benefit or hospitality can be accepted by applying sound judgement around conflict of interest and reputation; and
- All offers exceeding $50 will be recorded on Monash Health’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality register, which is published on the Monash Health website.
Similar rules apply to providing gifts, benefits and hospitality on behalf of Monash Health.
Our policy and procedure is available on PROMPT and provides more detail.
I encourage you to refresh your knowledge of our approach to gifts, benefits and hospitality.
Thank you,
Karen Lowe
Executive Director, People and Culture