Hospitality Policy
Topics
- Provision of Hospitality
- Consumption of Alcohol
- Acceptance of Hospitality
- Consultants Receiving Hospitality
Policy
Hospitality may be extended on behalf of the hospital when:
1. Engaging representatives of other hospitals, the government, the broader public sector, industry, public interest groups or union representatives in discussion on hospital matters;
2. Sponsoring formal conferences for representatives of health service provider organizations, or for government, business or labour groups;
3. Providing persons from national or international organizations and charitable organizations with an understanding and appreciation of the hospital sector or the workings of the organization;
4. Honouring distinguished persons from the health care sector in recognition of exceptional public service; and
5. Conducting prestigious ceremonies that are attended by government, and/or distinguished persons from the private or public sector.
Procedures
Provision of Hospitality
1. Hospitality expenses (the provision of food, beverages, accommodation, transportation or other amenities at the hospital’s expense to persons who are not engaged in work for the hospital) are reimbursable only if a reasonable ratio of staff to persons who are not engaged in work for the hospital or any other broader public sector employer is demonstrable.
2. Hospitality must be extended in an economical, consistent and appropriate way when it will facilitate hospital business or is considered desirable as a matter of courtesy.
3. Functions that are exceptions to the above must have prior approval of the CEO or the CEO’s delegate.
4. Where hospitality events are extended by the hospital, and where the guests include vendors (current or prospective), managers are responsible for obtaining prior approval from the CEO or CEO’s delegate to ensure that the event does not give, or is not perceived to give, preferential treatment to any vendor.
Consumption of Alcohol
1. The decision to provide alcohol as part of hospitality must be made by the CEO or the CEO’s delegate
(appropriate Vice President or Director) and must be consistent with the principles of the Reimbursement of Expenses Policy.
2. Provision of alcohol must be limited to meals and receptions.
3. In circumstances where alcohol is approved, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure a reasonable limit is placed on the quantity and cost of alcohol to be provided in advance of the event. Where possible preference should be given to Ontario products.
Acceptance of Hospitality from Vendors
1. The Hospital must avoid the appearance of impropriety or favouritism when accepting hospitality from vendors (current or prospective), which may constitute a conflict of interest, and may therefore be prohibited.
2. Managers/Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff are aware of their conflict of interest obligations.
3. Staff attendance on behalf of the hospital at various third party events, including but not limited to sporting events, entertainment, dinners or speaking engagements, must not violate the Hospital’s conflict of interest obligations, nor should such attendance appear to violate those obligations.
Consultants Receiving Hospitality
1. Consultants may receive hospitality or take part in hospitality events so long as it is consistent with the principles of the hospital’s Reimbursement of Expenses Policy. Inclusions of hospitality for consultants must be clearly outlined in the contract between the hospital and the consultant.
Last updated: June 29, 2011