With the Qatar World Cup in full swing and Christmas around the corner we thought this would be a good time to share some practical tips for those offering or receiving gifts and corporate entertainment.
๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ: If you have a Gifts and Hospitality (โG&Hโ) policy, send out a refresher! As this is a onceย a year occasion, not everyone will remember what is allowed or appropriate. Have compliance or another adequate person summarise the key points and communicate them to all staff, especially sales and purchasing.
๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐: If you donโt already have a G&H policy, donโt worry, Christmas is not cancelled yetโฆ send out some temporary guidance and approval/reporting procedure. In the long run, it will be for your organisation to determine their risk appetite. If in doubt, seek advice from a legal or compliance specialist.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ค ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ: Send specific guidelines to supply chain/sourcing or other high risk departments on receiving G&H.
๐๐๐ค๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ: Discuss internally what G&E is appropriate and send out a list to all staff with the preferred/acceptable items.
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐ก: For gifts, favour the use of impersonal, corporate merchandise and promotional products, as these carry lower risks.
๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Be aware of the jurisdiction of the beneficiary and the cost of living in their country. What may be acceptable in Europe may be excessive or inappropriate elsewhere.
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐๐ฌ: Be aware of all the circumstances and avoid offering G&H during critical phases for your business, for example when a contract is about to be awarded.
๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐ ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฌ: Remember that a lavish G&H can also make your client feel uncomfortable and send the wrong message.
But donโt let these rules deter you from celebrating Christmas and reconnecting with your network, these rules are here to help you and your client feel safe, not to deter you!
