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Compliance Chatter Ethics Edition |
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Gift-Giving Between Supervisors and Team Members |
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At UConn, we take pride in our community—and that often means celebrating milestones, offering support, and showing appreciation to one another. But when it comes to gift-giving between supervisors and their team members, there are specific rules we need to be mindful of. Whether it's pitching in for a birthday party, buying sports tickets, or organizing a group gift, it’s important that we follow The State Code of Ethics when giving and receiving gifts. |
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Let’s walk through the key considerations for exchanging gifts between supervisors and subordinates, and remember: these rules apply not just to direct supervisors and their direct reports, but to anyone within the same reporting chain. |
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The $100 Limit |
Supervisors and subordinates can exchange gifts valued under $100. The $100 limit applies per gift, not per year. Example: A pair of tickets to a baseball game worth $120 from a direct report to their supervisor is not permissible. |
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Major Life Events = A Different Limit |
There’s an exception to the $100 limit for major life events—weddings, the birth or adoption of a child, retirement, and more.
For these occasions, the gift limit increases to $1,000. Example: A $250 gift for your supervisor’s retirement from state service is permissible. |
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Group Gifts: Know the Boundaries |
We cannot pool money to give a gift that exceeds the allowable limit—even if each individual contribution is under the threshold. Example: Two subordinates giving their supervisor a $150 group gift (even if each contributes $75) would be a violation, unless it’s for a major life event and still under $1,000 total. |
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Even when a gesture is well-intended and permissible under the State Code of Ethics, it’s worth remembering: just because something is permissible doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. How a gift might be perceived—by colleagues, by leadership, or by the public—matters too. |
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Think It Through |
When planning to give a gift, it helps to pause and ask:
Could this be seen as trying to gain favor? Might someone misinterpret the gesture? Would I feel comfortable if this were publicly disclosed? If I’m a supervisor, could inviting subordinates to donate to a local charity, although well-meaning, make them feel pressured to do so, especially if they don't want to? |
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Remember: University Compliance is Here to Help |
If you are ever unsure, it's always okay to ask. The Office of University Compliance is here to support you in navigating The State Code of Ethics. |
| CONTACT UCONN'S ETHICS LIAISON |
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Have an idea for a future Compliance Chatter topic? |
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