Employee Christmas Parties- Having Fun Whilst Being Mindful

Many employees and employers alike are looking forward to their annual Christmas parties- but what HR issues are likely to arise if you are not prepared?

Firstly, it is still important to consider safety. At a Christmas party, there is often the added risk of alcohol consumption- so it is important to keep this in mind when conducting the risk assessment for your party. You may also consider limiting the amount of alcohol that is provided to employees to make sure that they do not over-indulge and act in ways that are unsafe. You should also discourage employees that are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (or any other transmittable illness) from attending, and keep the area clean to avoid any chance of infection spreading.

You also need to ensure that your event is accessible and inclusive. Make sure that you are taking different religions and beliefs into account- for example, providing non-alcoholic and vegetarian options in the catering.

You may wish to remind your employees of the appropriate conduct expected and make reference to the Harassment and Bullying policy prior to the event. It may also be wise to appoint a manager to monitor the party to ensure that everyone is behaving in a way that is appropriate for a work setting.