Accepting Gifts - A Values & Ethics Brush-up Quiz

The CodeWhich of the following basic principles are advised by the Code?  The acceptance of gifts, hospitality, and other benefits is permissible if they:

 Accepting excessive giftsIf you have accepted a gift that does not meet the basic principles of the Code, you should close the loop with the donor through a letter thanking the donor for the gift, explaining the Code, and advising of the course of action chosen (e.g. donation to charity).

Small giftsAn officer is about to bid farewell to his APEC contacts after having established close friendships.  At a farewell gathering, he is presented with many lovely small farewell gifts as a token of appreciation for his hard work and cooperation over the course of the Summit.  He can accept these gifts. 

Gift basketsAn assistant facilitates a meeting with her superior at the request of a prominent business executive.  She later receives a gift basket filled with cookies, chocolates, candies and a bottle of wine, the total value of which is fairly high.  Knowing this, the assistant plans to share the food contents of the gift basket with the employees in her area and keep the wine for the staff Christmas party.  This is an acceptable course of action.

Christmas GiftAn embassy officer who steadfastly refuses gifts from suppliers and service providers during the course of the year receives a cell phone from one of the mission's service providers as a Christmas gift, thanking him for the good work he did during the APEC Summit.  He can accept the gift.

Dollar Value LimitUnder the Code, what is the maximum amount considered as a "small gift of nominal value" that an employee may be allowed to keep?

Advising othersWho can you turn to when faced with a Values and Ethics problem related to gifts?

ArtworkThe mission is hosting a minister for a regional trade and economic affairs meeting. The delegation and mission staff go on a week long tour of companies in the area and upon their return, they report that the tour and meetings were very useful and that they were treated very well everywhere they went. Each member was also presented with a small statue made from semi-precious stones. They are obviously of more than a modest value.  Under the Code, expensive gifts may be kept if they are unique artworks given as a common business courtesy.

Raffle PrizeAn employee attends a trade show as the representative of DFAIT, to which many government employees have been invited. She is asked to leave her business card at the entrance and does so. All the cards are entered in a draw, unbeknownst to her. Her card is drawn and the prize is a Blackberry. This will certainly come in useful in her line work. However, the Blackberry should be returned to the trade show organizers.

Guidelines to followA) Employees may accept modest expressions of normal business courtesies where there is clearly no indication of any effort by the donor to obtain preferential treatment, and influence their decision making or conduct. Keep in mind that the Code refers to "a minimal value" and therefore care should be exercised when evaluating the worth of a gift, hospitality or other benefit.B) Employees should politely decline any gift, hospitality or benefit where the intent of the donor is suspected to influence their decision-making or conduct, or to obtain preferential treatment at a later date. Employees may accept hospitality where the event is business related and is part of normal reciprocal hospitality.Which of these statements is true?