GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POLICY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Purpose and Scope
- Definitions
- Prohibited Items and High-Risk Scenarios
- Monetary Thresholds and Approvals
- Public Officials
- Commercial Counterparties
- Logging and Recordkeeping
- Travel and Hospitality
- Charitable and Political Contributions
- Exceptions and Escalations
- Enforcement
- Annex: Threshold Matrix and Gift Log Template
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
- Prevent improper influence and ensure compliance with anti-bribery and trade control laws.
- Applies to all employees, officers, directors, contractors, and third parties acting on behalf of the company.
2. DEFINITIONS
- Gift: anything of value given without equal value in return (items, services, discounts).
- Entertainment: meals, events, hospitality, or travel provided to/from third parties.
- Public Official: government, state-owned entity employees, candidates, party officials, public international organization staff, or close relatives acting on their behalf.
3. PROHIBITED ITEMS AND HIGH-RISK SCENARIOS
- Cash/cash equivalents (gift cards over de minimis), lavish or indecent venues, personal services, βper diemβ payments, travel for family/friends, facilitation payments (unless legally required for safety and pre-approved by Legal).
- Gifts/entertainment during active tenders/approvals or audits are prohibited absent written pre-approval.
4. MONETARY THRESHOLDS AND APPROVALS
[// GUIDANCE: Tailor values by country/risk; include local VAT limits.]
| Category | Threshold (USD or local) | Approver | Notes |
|----------|-------------------------|----------|-------|
| Routine meal (commercial) | [$$] per person | Manager | Must have business purpose |
| Routine gift (commercial) | [$$] per item | Manager + log | No cash equivalents |
| Public official meal/gift | [Lower $$] | Compliance pre-approval | Must be lawful and modest |
| Travel/hospitality | [$$] per trip | Compliance + VP | Agenda required; economy class unless approved |
5. PUBLIC OFFICIALS
- Stricter limits; pre-approval required; document business purpose and attendees.
- No gifts/entertainment to secure improper advantage; record in public official register.
- Consider local laws on even nominal value items.
6. COMMERCIAL COUNTERPARTIES
- Modest, infrequent, and tied to legitimate business purpose.
- Reciprocal hospitality must remain reasonable; avoid timing near contract awards/renewals without approval.
7. LOGGING AND RECORDKEEPING
- Record all gifts/entertainment above [LOG THRESHOLD] in centralized register (date, counterpart, description, value, currency, approval, attendees).
- Keep receipts and approvals for audit; reconcile to expense reports.
8. TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY
- Pre-approval for paying third-party travel; economy class unless Compliance approves.
- No side trips, spousal/guest travel, or per diem without approval.
- Provide agendas; pay vendors directly where possible (no cash reimbursements).
9. CHARITABLE AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
- Charitable contributions tied to counterparties require Compliance/Legal pre-approval; avoid directing to entities connected to public officials without due diligence.
- Political contributions permitted only where legal and approved by [LEGAL/GR]; never to influence official action.
10. EXCEPTIONS AND ESCALATIONS
- Exceptions require written approval from [COMPLIANCE/LEGAL] with documented rationale and controls.
- When in doubt, seek pre-approval; conservative approach prevails.
11. ENFORCEMENT
- Violations may result in discipline up to termination; may be reportable to regulators.
- Non-retaliation for good-faith reporting of concerns or refusals to engage in improper conduct.
12. ANNEX: THRESHOLD MATRIX AND GIFT LOG TEMPLATE
- Annex A: Country/risk-based threshold table.
- Annex B: Gift/entertainment/public official contact log (fields: date, name, entity, role, description, value, currency, purpose, approval, attendees, receipt attached).