Preventing Corruption Dealing with Gifts and Hospitality
Heidelberg University opposes all forms of corruption in public service. Compliance with the four principles listed below in everyday work serves as a concrete guide for ensuring that the university staff behave in accordance with the rules. The general standard for dealing with benefits is laid down in § 34 of the Civil Service Status Act (BeamtStG) and in § 3 of the collective agreement for the public sector in the federal states (TV-L).
Four golden compliance principles:
- Separation of work and private life
- Creating transparency
- Documentation in writing
- Equivalence of services
Corruption is defined as the abuse of office for an improper advantage for oneself or third parties. It does not matter whether the advantages are material or immaterial, nor does the value of the advantage matter. Advantages also include benefits granted to related third parties, in particular spouses or partners, children, etc.
Do you always ask yourself: Why is something being offered? Could something be expected in return?
Notification/reporting form for accepted benefits
The web form accessible via LimeSurvey offers Heidelberg University employees the opportunity to notify benefits worth up to €35 that do not require approval, or to report benefits worth more than €35 that have already been approved. It can also be used as a self-check. This enables transparent handling of gifts offered in accordance with compliance requirements.
The decision tree shown below provides an overview of how your benefit can be classified. It also provides information about the structural layout of the questions.
