In a bid to ensure anti-corruption rules are followed, a NSW council has announced a ban on all “significant” gifts being given to teachers and childcare workers this year.
Inner West Council, which was created earlier this year as an amalgamation of Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville councils, sent a draft ruling to parents last week, warning that any presents of significant value (bottles of wine, store vouchers, etc) could not be accepted by teachers or childcare workers, who fall under the same anti-corruption rules as council staff.
The council says the decision is to ensure all staff members are adhering to the same rules. Source: iStock.“Please be aware that gifts which are not of a token nature, cash or cash-like gifts (such as gift cards etc) will be politely declined by our staff,” the memo read. “We would like to avoid these situations, particularly so as not to upset any of our children.”
Following the memo, a spokesman for the council said, “With the three former councils coming together we are just trying to ensure that all of our staff are taking the same approach and that no one is accepting inappropriate gifts. The note mentions gifts that are significant or cash-based. A small box of chocolates as a thankyou to a carer who has looked after your child would be OK."
Former Leichhardt Council mayor Darcy Byrne slammed the decision, telling The Daily Telegraph, “A Christmas crackdown in gifts for early childhood educators is the last thing the council should be focused on."
Parents and children will not be able to show their thanks with anything above $50. Source: iStock.He said, “Parents know how undervalued and underpaid these educators are and want to show their appreciation for what they do for our kids. Government has no business tying down this Christmas spirit with red tape.”
Inner West Council covers a number of major Sydney suburbs including Annandale, Balmain, Camperdown, Croydon, Enmore, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Newtown, Petersham, Rozelle, Stanmore and Tempe.
Top Comments
Im on both side of the fence right now, working in a private long daycare where my kids also attend. For their teachers we make gifts because its important to me that my boys put in the effort and understand the importance of 'thought'. we usually bake cookies or rum balls, ill take a few snaps of them baking to make up the gift tags. costs me no more than $15 for ingredients and nice packaging and it doesn't take long. As an educator I've gotten gifts of varying values... gift cards for coffee houses and restaurants for around $50, baked goods, lots of soaps and lotions or candles.. chocolates
I particularly liked one parents idea of making a charity donation in our honour for a childrens charity, and a card to give us about it.
Not sure why everyone is up in arms about this. Gifts and Benefits policies are standard across all 3 levels of Government, perhaps more so for State & Federal than Local. Basic gists of all policies I've seen (which is a few) is that if you receive a gift as a consequence of your role as a public servant, it doesn't belong to you and should be shared if you absolutely have to accept it. Preference is to politely decline and the offer is registered. Removes any potential for accusations of bribery, etc which is essentially a protection for the public servant - unfortunately it only takes 1 disgruntled customer/ client/ parent/ contractor/ citizen to complain and cause grief. And in the interest of fairness, how many parents give gifts to the librarians, school nurses, gardeners, cleaners and many other staff who contribute towards the running of a school and have to deal with your children and/or the repercussions of your children, or is it only the teachers who deserve a gift? And if teachers can receive gifts, why can't all public servants? Or again, are only teachers deserving? Public servants know the deal or should familiarise themselves with it when they sign on the bottom line. It's covered in mandatory ethics training that the whole public sector is required to deliver on an annual basis. Private child care centres are a different story.
We used to buy our teachers gifts when I was a kid, we would say merry Christmas, it was was called Christmas goodwill I believe.
What kind of message does it send to a young child when they are told they arent allowed to give their favourite teacher a Christmas present?
Did you even read the article? It says small gifts are fine, but cash/cash-like gifts, and gifts of high value, won't be accepted. The standard box of chocolates or mug is still okay. I think that's perfectly reasonable.