U.S. Office of Government Ethics

10 Actions to Raise Employee Awareness of Gift Rules

As the holiday season approaches, federal government employees may find themselves in situations where they are offered gifts from outside sources and/or fellow employees.  Raising employee awareness of the gift rules helps ensure that the integrity of government programs and operations are preserved.  Agencies seeking to raise employee awareness of the gift rules should consider the following ten actions.  OGE has made available related training products that can be accessed through this document.

  1. Hang Posters with “Gift Themes” Throughout the Agency.

  2. Distribute Pamphlets Outlining the Gift Rules.

• Gifts Between Employees
• Gifts From Outside Sources
  

  3. Develop Training Modules Focused on Gift Rules.

• Gifts Between Employees
• Gifts From Outside Sources

  4. Create a Gift-Related Submission for Agency Newsletter or Other Publication.

• Crossword Puzzles

  5. Give Briefings on Gift Rules at Staff Meetings.

  6. Involve Senior Leadership and Supervisors in Spreading the Message about the Gift Rules.

• Leadership Initiative

  7. E-mail Agency-Wide Holiday Gift Guidance.

• A Reminder about Holiday Gifts and Fundraising ( DAEOgram DO-08-038 - December 8, 2008)

  8. Create a Chart of Recent Gift Violations.

• http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/
  

   9. Design a Start-Up Alert for Employee Computer Desktops.

10. Post Contact Information of Ethics Officials on Agency Bulletin Boards.