This Friday our team will be out of the office promptly, why? It’s Christmas party time.
Christmas is a great opportunity for everyone to let their hair down and to enjoy some festive cheer with colleagues. As an employer, it should be a time to reward your staff for their hard work over the year. That said the notorious ‘Christmas night out’ can send give even the hardiest the chills!
Do you live in fear of what might happen at the annual gathering and the fall out for your company? If you would rather be at home with Amazon Prime’s latest releases and a glass of red, fear not. There’s no need for festive fun to become a liability for your business
So, here’s our top tips for you to ensure 2017 starts off on the right foot.
Plan ahead
Good etiquette says don’t pull a sickie the morning after the Christmas party. Either plan a day’s holiday in advance or make sure you are fit to attend work the next morning.
Discrimination’s no joke
There will undoubtedly be disproportionate amount of bad jokes (it’s Christmas) but remember Frankie Boyle style jokes aren’t to everyone’s taste. Singling out a particular group could lead to discrimination claims, so leave the bad jokes in the crackers.
Don’t get the wrong end of the (selfie) stick
Pictures = evidence. If you don’t want to have something immortalised and shared across social media, don’t do it! After a couple of drinks getting photos together can be a bit of fun, but remember that you’re a professional and maintain control of your own image.
Mannequin Challenge
Workplaces everywhere have been shooting these frozen moments in time, but remember if you’re having a go choose your pose carefully! Just like pictures videos will be posted, shared, and around forever. If you don’t want your pose to be around at your next review, don’t strike it.
Sexual Harassment
While everyone can be guilty of feeling like they’re irresistible after a few shandies, the workplace isn’t the place to test the theory! Remember what you might regard as flirting might not be so well received and in the worst-case scenario it’s sexual harassment.
Avoid the Mistletoe
The law states that ‘unwanted conduct with the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, will be unlawful sexual harassment if it is either ‘on grounds of sex’, or it is ‘of a sexual nature’ so leave the mistletoe for another night.
Remember, nothing in life is free!
A free bar’s a great way to say a big thank you. While it might seem like an excuse to let everything go, don’t get carried away. Enjoy a few drinks, that’s what it’s there for, but don’t go over the top.
If you have any queries regarding any of the issues discussed, or any aspect of employement law then please contact Julie Sullivan in our employment team on 01383 721 621.
Julie Sullivan on jks@businesslaw.co.uk
