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Inside Iowa State, a newspaper for faculty and staff, is published by the Office of University Relations.

Nov. 16, 2007

Gift giving in moderation . . . it's the law

by Diana Pounds

If you're the kind of person who likes to get a little something for the boss during the holiday season, just make sure that something is little enough. In this case, "little enough" is something worth less than $3.

Iowa State employees are covered by the Iowa Gift Law, which prohibits gift-giving that appears to seek a business advantage or curry favor with public employees.

ISU employees may exchange gifts with colleagues and supervisors, said Keith Bystrom, associate legal counsel in the Office of University Counsel.

"But our office recommends that employees not give their supervisors gifts valued at $3 or more," he said. "Technically, supervisors accepting gifts of higher value from their staff would be in violation of the gift law.

"There's also potential for personnel problems if a gift-giver were to receive job-related benefits from his or her supervisor that did not appear related to performance or weren't available to other employees," Bystrom added.

The $3 restriction on gifts also applies to suppliers, who may send food or other gifts to university offices during the holiday season.

"If a supplier gives you something valued at $3 or more, you can politely return it, citing the gift law, or give it to a university department, another public body or a local charity," Bystrom said. The gift law prohibits the acceptance of gifts by university employees, but does not prohibit the supplier from giving to the university.

For more information on the Iowa Gift Law, see www.iastate.edu/~purchasing/policy_procedure_gift_law.htm.

Quote

"If a supplier gives you something valued at $3 or more, you can politely return it, citing the gift law, or give it to a university department, another public body or a local charity."

Keith Bystrom