After a year of hard work and decent profits, many companies celebrate in December with a holiday office party. Unfortunately, sometimes an office party can bring out the worst in employees and their bosses. If your office festivities take an ugly turn, what are possible consequences? A local employment attorney can answer this question.
Office Party – Questions Managers Should Consider
To minimize the possibility of ugly scenes, managers and party planners should consider some key questions:
- Should alcohol be served? If so, will there be limits?
- Will the company provide safe transportation home after the festivities?
- How can you avoid discrimination issues with Christmas parties?
- Can employee behavior at a company party result in termination? If so, on what grounds?
- Can pictures of the party be posted on social media after the event?
Avoiding Legal Issues
Clearly, circumstances differ for every business. Experts suggest that alcohol-related problems can be avoided by holding a breakfast or lunch party. If you really want an evening event, consider these guidelines to avoid legal liability after your gathering:
- Refer to the event as a Winter Celebration or even a Holiday Party, not a Christmas party.
- Avoid “open bars.” Instead, opt for a cash bar or provide a limited number of tickets to be exchanged for drinks.
- Advise professional bartenders to check I.D. and report individuals who seem to have over-imbibed.
- Provide rides home, or hotel rooms, for inebriated partiers.
- Serve plenty of food, especially if alcohol is on the premises.
- Invite the employees’ spouses or significant others. It tends to keep people on their best behavior.
- Advise everyone in writing that workplace conduct standards remain in place at the party. The upshot of inappropriate behavior or misconduct will be disciplinary action.
- Have a written policy related to social media and privacy issues;
- Avoid exchanges of gag-gifts or white elephant gifts. There is too great a possibility of sexual harassment issues.
- Do not hang mistletoe. You are just asking for problems with it!
- Remind managers to keep an eye on things and make sure questionable behaviors are nipped before they become problematic.
Avoid an Office Party Lawsuit
It seems that over-consumption of alcohol is the root of many party issues. Employees may assert that a hostile work environment exists due to drunken arguments that occur, or loose lips and too-casual behavior may lead to sexual harassment claims. Even an injury on the dance floor could be the company’s responsibility. Remember, you are responsible for your employees’ safety at any work-sponsored events, whether attendance is optional or required. So take care to plan well. In the event that your party leads to legal issues, the experienced employment attorney team at Beck Law P.C., can help. Contact us in Santa Rosa today for a confidential consultation.