It’s an age-old tradition for students and families to offer gifts to their teachers, particularly at the holidays. Many a teacher has a heart-warming story about kindnesses received at the holidays. (One of our colleagues, a former school administrator, recounts the tale of a bright red scarf he received from his students on Christmas, which we wore with pride while directing carpool traffic for many cold winters thereafter). When does a gift become more than a token of appreciation? When does it have the potential to represent an implied conflict of interest (i.e., such as to influence grading or induce other benefits for the student)?
The culture and values at some schools render this a non-issue. At other schools, it is an issue that warrants discussion in the employee and parent handbooks. If your school seeks a policy statement on the question of teachers accepting gifts, we’re happy to offer the following as a brief sample policy—to be customized to meet your needs and align with your culture and values.
Sample Policy: Acceptance of Gifts from Students and Families
From time to time, faculty and staff may be offered gifts by grateful students, parents, or other family members of students. We do not want to discourage the kindness of our students (such as in offering handmade items of appreciation that they have created for their teachers). However, due to the potential for conflicts of interest (such as with regard to grading, student promotions, awards, etc.)—as well as the potential for mission-inappropriate “competition” among parent gift-givers—faculty and staff members are not permitted to accept gifts that are reasonably estimated to be worth in excess of $ ___. For example: A $__ gift certificate to a bookstore may be acceptable; an all-expenses-paid vacation and use of a summer house may not be.
The gift value limit may be $25 or whatever the schools deems appropriate.
All gifts from students or parents that reasonably appear to exceed the $____ limit must be reported promptly to the School Head.
The school will wish to reflect on what level and type of gift it deems acceptable—i.e., is a $50 limit appropriate?—in light of its mission, culture, and values. It may determine that it is only comfortable with allowing employees to accept gifts of handmade items (i.e., “make or bake” gifts). The primary purpose of this policy is to avoid instances in which gifts make faculty/staff uncomfortable and present potential conflicts of interest (e.g., use of vacation homes, expensive jewelry, etc.).
Additional ISM resources of interest:
Private School News Vol. 8 No. 12 Holiday Parties: Risks and Pitfalls
Insider Vol. 2 No. 15 HR Holiday Party Risks
