Section 9 of the POBO states that an employee of a private company cannot solicit or accept any advantage in relation to his employer"s business without the permission of his employer.

"Lai see" is a kind of advantage. The cleaning worker must obtain permission from his employer (the owners" corporation or property management company) before accepting any advantage relating to his official duties.

An employee of a private sector company must obtain permission from his employer for accepting any gift offered by the customer, supplier, etc. Custom is not a reasonable excuse for accepting an advantage.

Under the POBO, advantage include, among other things, service and favour. Therefore, voluntary services may in general be regarded as advantage.

According to the POBO, advantage refers to anything that is of value such as money, gift, commission, loan, employment, service or favour, except entertainment. Whereas entertainment refers to the provision of food or drink for consumption on the occasion when it is provided, and any other entertainment connected with such provisions.

Although entertainment is a common social activity and not considered an advantage under the POBO, it may easily give rise to conflicts of interest or give others an impression that there may be a corrupt motive if the entertainment provided is too lavish and frequent.