The Washington State Executive Ethics Board has revised an opinion related to the ability of state agencies to allow employees to keep door prizes received at conferences to which the agency paid attendance.
Following is a summary of the current interpretation of RCW 42.52.020, Activities incompatible with public duties, and RCW 42.52.160, Use of persons, money or property for private gain.
Door Prizes: You may not keep a door prize if your state agency paid for the conference and you are attending the conference, seminar, trade show or similar event on state time.
- Should you win a door prize at the event, you must give it to the agency to keep or dispose of in accordance with state rules and regulations.
- Only Surplus Stores is authorized to dispose of University property. For more information, please contact Surplus Stores at 509-335-3089 and review BPPM 20.80.
- The agency may not allow you to keep the prize.
If you pay for the conference or seminar and attend it on your own time (including using vacation time to attend), you may retain any door prize won at the conference or seminar.
Drawings: You may not use your official state business card to enter drawings, especially when you attend the event or place of business in your personal capacity.
- This includes placing your state business card in a “fishbowl” at your local coffeehouse or restaurant to win a free drink or lunch.
- If you want to participate in these types of drawings, use personal calling cards instead of your state business card.
For more information contact Internal Audit at ia.central@wsu.edu.
