Gift, Hospitality & Travels
The policy regarding gifts, hospitality, and travel at PDO emphasizes that employees should refrain from soliciting such benefits. While the offering and accepting of gifts, hospitality, and travel is generally discouraged, there may be situations where refusing them would be impractical or offensive. In those cases, employees may accept or offer them but must adhere to certain principles.
The general rule for all employees is to never offer or accept gifts, hospitality, and travel in circumstances involving bribery, corruption, or influence on business decisions. Prohibited items include cash, personal services, loans, gift vouchers, illegal or inappropriate items or venues, events/meals without the business partner being present, employment seeking, non-market related assets for personal use, and gifts during critical decision-making periods. Any attempts by third parties to offer gifts, hospitality, and travel should be treated as offers, even if not finalized or accepted. If you are uncertain about compliance, you should seek advice from the Ethics and Compliance team. All such benefits must be registered using the Conflicts of Interest reporting tool and monitored by designated personnel.
For gifts and hospitality valued below OMR 50, employees can offer or accept them without advance approval but must declare them promptly. Expenses associated with offering gifts to third parties must be approved as per the Manual of Authorities. If the accumulated value with a party exceeds OMR 50 within a 12-month period, subsequent offers or acceptances must be declared and approved in the GH&T online register.
Gifts and hospitality valued above OMR 50 require advance approval from FLGE (Ethics and Compliance Officer) and the Line Manager/Director. If such offerings are deemed inappropriate or non-compliant, they should be returned or surrendered to the EVX team. Specific and stricter rules may apply when dealing with public officials, requiring guidance from FLGE.
PDO employees should consider whether accepting or offering a gift or hospitality could create inappropriate obligations, or be perceived as a reward or impropriety.
Non-compliance with the policy may be considered as a misconduct, conflict of interest, or bribery, and may result in investigation, disciplinary action, or criminal reporting. Any suspected incidents or policy violations should be reported to FLGE for investigation.
