Army Trainers told to return gifts

[Bravo20]

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/army-trainers-told-to-return-2000-gifts-34306974.html

The DF could do with out this kind of publicity.

[DeV]

No one asked them to buy them, more fool them!!

The CO is right!

[paul g]

Actually it's only 50 quid a head, I'd say that many of us would contribute that to a colleagues leaving whip round, in this case two trainers, 25 per head and it's not that much, not even bad publicity.

[DeV]

Actually it's only 50 quid a head, I'd say that many of us would contribute that to a colleagues leaving whip round, in this case two trainers, 25 per head and it's not that much, not even bad publicity.

On a recruits wage??

I wouldn't!!

Of course, they could have got them 2nd hand (unwanted upgrade etc)

[spider]

This had to be knocked on the head at Sandhurst too.

Apparently C/Sgt's were being presented with Rolex's and (possibly an urban myth) in one case a Ferrari by overseas students.

Strict no gift policy now.

[hptmurphy]

God be with the days when we threw a few quid over the bar at the passing out meal and made sure they had a good night.

[na grohmiti]

Right to nip it in the bud.

[HavocIRL]

Great tradition to have and I hope it long continues. Instructors in recruit training sacrifice a lot of their time to ensure the next generation is properly trained. It's a nice way to show respect and gratitude for doing the job by the recruits.

I'm trying to remember what my platoon got our NCO's. Think it was along the lines of a few jerseys, booze etc. Nothing worth 1500 euro though.

[Auldsod]

From a private sector perspective, something up to 200 euro would have been appropriate. Anymore and I think it undermines the trainer/trained relationship. It's probably a reflection on our society these days. Gifts for everything are getting more and more elaborate. It's probably all some of the new joiners know.

[SwiftandSure]

In my experience, corporate gifts are collated centrally and raffled off to everyone, with the funds raised going to charity. Gifts in excess of €150 aren't to be accepted. It's all part of the business ethics policy in the company.

[Auldsod]

It's not really a corporate gift though. Normally company policy would relate to gifts coming from and going to external parties. I just hope gifts aren't banned and it's ruined for everyone.

[danno]

I think its policy that all gifts over a certain limit have to be declared under ethics laws.

[Cryos]

It's not really a corporate gift though. Normally company policy would relate to gifts coming from and going to external parties. I just hope gifts aren't banned and it's ruined for everyone.

Not entirely true.

Most companies will have a policy the caters for both internal and external gifts. Buying a Manager, Supervisor or C Level with gifts that are not really appropriate may gain some "Give" or create some favouritism. Tins of sweets for the team OK, a gift to your manager who just had a new born also acceptable. Buying your manager a phone because he is a great guy is a No No, anyone with a People Management or Human Resources Course will tell you that.

My own employer strictly forbids gifts in all cases if they are valued at over $50 in local currency anything above this should be OK'd by Ethics and Compliance.

[irishrgr]

Not entirely true.

Most companies will have a policy the caters for both internal and external gifts. Buying a Manager, Supervisor or C Level with gifts that are not really appropriate may gain some "Give" or create some favouritism. Tins of sweets for the team OK, a gift to your manager who just had a new born also acceptable. Buying your manager a phone because he is a great guy is a No No, anyone with a People Management or Human Resources Course will tell you that.

My own employer strictly forbids gifts in all cases if they are valued at over $50 in local currency anything above this should be OK'd by Ethics and Compliance.

$2K gifts is a bit excessive, especially for a recruit platoon. Over 'ere the regulations prohibit receipt of any gift with value over $200, and the regs. have the usual wording about "gifts that reflect negatively on the US DoD etc etc..." Gifts of cash or equivalent (gift cards, gift certificates) are also prohibited.

A parting gift for staff, trainers, commanders, etc. is pretty common here, usually it's an engraved plaque, small unit flag in a frame, small statue of a Soldier, you get the point. Fair play to the CO for making the tough call, he probably wasn't overly popular with the staff who had to hand back the Gucci phones, but he did the right thing.

Most units have a unit fund, you pay in when you join, so in many ways you are paying for your own gift. In my experience we also used the fund for flowers for a death in the family of a unit member, birth of a child, that sort of thing.

Does Irish DoD not have a similar set of ethics guidelines/rules?

A

[danno]

Legislation enacted to deal with politicians soaking up "gifts" has been extended to all parts of the state sector. From what we were told anybody over a certain rank/grade or involved with supply/sale contracts has to declare gifts/travel/ pick ups etc.