F.8 · Ethics
Review how the BACB gift rule, employer policy and relationship context apply to giving or receiving gifts. Compare examples involving a one-time gift, recurring vouchers and a stricter no-gifts policy.
Task F.8: Follow BACB gift-giving and receiving guidelines
Useful foundations: F.7: Multiple relationships and boundaries
Evaluate gifts against the BACB value limit, any stricter employer rule, and the context-including repeated gifts and conflicts of interest.
The RBT Ethics Code prohibits giving or accepting gifts worth more than US $10 or equivalent purchasing power. Also check recurring financial benefit, conflicts of interest and any stricter employer policy.
| Distinction | Look for | How to decide |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable rule | BACB ceiling and employer policy | Follow a stricter employer restriction. |
| Value and pattern | Price, frequency and cumulative benefit | A series of small gifts can create a boundary problem. |
| Intent and consultation | Gratitude, expectations and influence | Check the applicable rule and any conflict of interest. |
Value and policy
A caregiver offers an RBT a $15 coffee-shop card as a one-time thank-you. The employer follows the BACB limit and has no exception applicable to this gift.
Politely decline and explain the gift boundary.
$15 > $10 limit
Thank the caregiver for the gesture and explain the gift boundary. Apply the limit to the whole offered gift.
Pattern and stricter rules
Another caregiver begins giving the RBT a $5 voucher every Friday. Separately, an employer’s written policy prohibits all gifts, and a family offers a $3 ornament.
Raise the recurring vouchers as a boundary concern; decline the ornament under the employer rule.
Check value, repeated benefit and the employer’s gift policy
Assess the actual policy and relationship as well as the price. Pause the exchange and seek guidance while any concern remains unresolved.
Keep a one-time $3 ornament; change the employer policy.
Decline under the stricter rule.
Apply the employer’s stricter gift policy.
Check context and applicable conditions before accepting.
Check the remaining policy and relationship requirements alongside the value limit.
Evaluate the gift’s value, policy requirements and relationship context together.