Christmas and end of year functions can produce challenging issues for employers so it's an important time to remind your employees of the expected standards of acceptable behaviour.
How quickly those end of year functions have crept upon us!
We don't want to take the fun out of these celebrations and you want your team to enjoy themselves; however, a relaxed and sociable environment mixed with alcohol means that there is an increased chance of risky and/or inappropriate behaviour, which you will be held liable for.
Once it was simply what people did at a work function that could land them into trouble. Today it is more complicated. It can also include publicly expressed opinions, photos and recordings posted online. 'Secret Santa' - the anonymous gift giving tradition - has now also joined the list of seasonal risk factors with a warning that not everyone shares the same sense of humour.
So to minimise this, here are a few practical steps that we suggest you follow to ensure a good and safe time is had by all.
- Send a reminder to all staff and managers in the days leading up to the function reminding them of behaviour that is acceptable.
- Make the message clear that onsite or offsite events, whether a client Christmas party, a team lunch or a corporate box at the cricket, do not mean standards of behaviour slip.
- Arrange for a designated time for drinks to finish and the party to end.
- Discourage ‘kick on events’ and advise that any which occur are not sanctioned.
- Have a system in place for transport home.
- Ensure there is a ‘go to’ person at the event should advice or help be needed.
- Check that your policies, procedures, codes of conduct are unambiguous and set clear expectations.
- Establish a framework for recording all incidents and complaints – do not ignore complaints.
End of year functions can produce challenging issues for employers so speak to us for advice and to ensure your policies cover work-related but 'out of hours' conduct and conduct away from the work premises. Your HRdocs subscribers can download an updated Christmas / End of Year Staff Party Letter reminding employees about expectations at end of year functions.