2255-9

Gifts, Honoraria and Private Compensation of DOT Employees

Commissioner's Policy

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In order to instill public trust and avoid even the appearance that employees of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) might be motivated by private or personal interest, the GDOT prohibits employee acceptance of gifts, honoraria or private compensation.

Gifts:

No employee, or any person acting on his or her behalf, may accept any gift from any person with whom the employee currently or potentially conducts official state business. An employee may, when acting as an official representative of the GDOT, accept a gift on behalf of the agency. Such gift shall be reported and transferred to the agency as required by the provisions of the Governor’s Executive Order of January 13, 2003.

"Gifts" means anything of value exceeding Twenty Five and No/100 Dollars ($25.oo) including, but not limited to, food, lodging, transportation, personal services, gratuities, subscriptions, memberships, trips, loans, extensions of credit, forgiveness of debts, or advances of money.

Gifts for coworkers for special occasions such as marriage, retirement, birth of a child, etc. should be of nominal value. Contributions of funds for such gifts shall be on an entirely voluntary basis. No employee shall be coerced, threatened or intimidated in any way regarding such contributions.

Honoraria:

No employee may accept any honoraria whatsoever.

Honoraria shall include, but not be limited to any offer of payment for appearing, speaking or being identified as an employee of the GDOT at any public or private conference, seminar, function or other event. See TOPPS 7195-11, Third Party Payment of Travel and Business Expenses for additional information.

Private Compensation:

Employees are specifically forbidden to accept payment from private sources for performing their duties. Employees are not allowed to solicit or to accept such payment and must decline to accept it if offered.

If a situation should arise where such a payment is made and it is not possible or practical to return the payment, the employee must forward the payment to the Treasurer's office with a clear written explanation of the circumstances. The Treasurer's office will send the employee a memo acknowledging receipt of the payment.

Any questions regarding this issue should be directed to the Office of the Treasurer.

Reference:

Standards of Conduct, TOPPS 2255-1
Third Party Payment of Travel and Business Expenses, TOPPS 7195-11
Code of Ethics for Government Service, O.C.G.A. 45-10-1
Executive Order dated January 13, 2003

Document History:

• added to Manual of Guidance: 02/21/95
• added to TOPPS: 01/03/96
• revised: 04/04/05
• reviewed: 06/08/07
• definition of gifts added: 06/27/07

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