The office Christmas party

By LBV

07 Dec 2009

Q: I have a large team that we’re taking out for Christmas celebrations later this month. How do I make sure everyone behaves themselves?

A: Firstly, you need to take responsibility for arranging the location, time, and nature of the Christmas celebration.

Ensure that those staff under the legal drinking age of 18 refrain from drinking alcohol.

Think twice before supplying free alcohol to other employees. Many incidents at Christmas parties including inappropriate conduct such as violence result from excessive drinking.

These can lead to grievances being made against colleagues and the company, and the company needing to take disciplinary action against staff.

The law can see the Christmas party as ‘work time’ and therefore hold the company (employer) responsible for the drinking practices and behaviour of staff.

Secondly, there is a risk that staff may start to cross the relationship boundaries with colleagues, with behaviour that is drink fuelled and unwelcome.

Prior to the celebrations, ensure therefore that you have laid down clear rules to staff as to what constitutes inappropriate conduct and warn everyone to be on their ‘best behaviour’.

If anyone makes a complaint about harassment, it must be dealt with seriously and efficiently (remembering again, the company is vicariously liable for the conduct of its employees in the course of employment.)

Thirdly, brief your management to remain in control of their senses when conversing with staff members. Promises of pay rises, bonuses and promotions could be contractually binding if there is certainty to the commitment entered into!

Top Tips to Avoid the Pitfalls
• Ensure the Company has in place an Equal Opportunities and Anti-Harassment Policy (clearly stating what conduct amounts to harassment) and that it is enforced.
• Provide training and support to managers on equal opportunities and anti-harassment.
• Ensure the Company’s Disciplinary Policy clearly states examples of what amounts to misconduct and gross misconduct.
• Consider whether it is possible to hold the Christmas party at a venue other than the place of work and find a way to diplomatically warn employees to be on their ‘best behaviour’.
• Ensure any grievances are dealt with seriously and consistently and in accordance with procedure.
• Be very careful if providing alcohol to staff!
• Ensure that any celebration does not offend employees’ religions.
• Ensure health and safety requirements are satisfied.
• Consider how employees will travel home after the party.

Answer by Marsden Rawsthorn employment team
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

28 Mar 2024

4

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue THE PIKES BLOG BANNER.jpg.jpg

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue

28 Mar 2024

5

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup The Accrington Stanley Under 18s team which are currently in Dallas.jpg.jpg

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin