How to Minimise HR Risks During Work Christmas Parties

After working hard month on month, many of us eagerly await the end of the year – specifically, for the staff Christmas party.

Whether you’re having a small ‘Xmas do’ in the office or hiring out a swanky hall, it falls to employers to ensure proper workplace etiquette and standards are followed.

Alcohol intoxication, sexual harassment, unauthorised sick days – these are just a few HR concerns you might have to manage alongside your party planning. But don’t let these ruin the night: remember, the Christmas party is just as much for you, as it is for your staff.

Our expert HR advisors are on standby ready to answer all your questions managing gross misconduct during work celebrations. Now, let’s look at the best ways to minimise HR risks during your work Christmas party.

Outline rules on conduct beforehand

Before choosing festive themes and venue halls, employers need to outline the rules on conduct and behaviour. Just like the workplace, employees are expected to follow proper etiquette and manners before, during, and after the Christmas party.

Send a policy reminder to all employees, specifically highlighting what type of conduct is acceptable – and what isn’t. Some rules your reminder should cover include:

Dress codes

Employees should wear clothing that reflects the dress code policy; i.e. professional and respectable. Be mindful of venue rules on dress codes. They might have a ‘no trainers’ policy; or request appropriate clothing for cultural and religious considerations.

Social media

Express the rules on posting images, videos, and even texts on social media platforms. You may require permission from individuals before posting online. Avoid posting compromising or inappropriate things that could reflect badly on employees.

Workplace conduct

Poor behaviour or conduct should be dealt with through proper the disciplinary procedures. For example, investigations, warnings, and even dismissal in serious cases. Police involvement might occur, particularly for cases involving physical violence, theft, and other criminal activities.

Sexual harassment

Under the new prevention sexual harassment legislation, employers should ensure all staff are aware of the ramification of any misconduct relating to sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. Again, such offences could lead to police involvement and criminal charges.

Raise awareness on alcohol and drug abuse

Alcohol is a huge part of Christmas traditions; it’s usually up high on the Christmas shopping list. Unfortunately, intoxication is often linked to gross misconduct at Christmas parties – and it usually involves drinking and drugs.

All employees should be aware of what the consequences are for alcohol, drug, and substance abuse. ‘I was drunk…I was high…’ – these excuses are rarely justified. And being intoxicated doesn’t dismiss poor behaviour, even if you don’t remember anything afterwards.

Deal with on-the-night issues

Unfortunately, the duty of an employer never ends – even at the Christmas work do. From verbal abuse to damaging property – if an employee acts in an unacceptable manner, you must intervene appropriately. Depending on the situation, you could:

• Send the employee home.
• Arrange for them to get a lift or taxi ride.
• Intervene in any physical altercations (if it’s safe to do so).
• Put an end to any evidence of alcohol/drug/substance abuse.

Don’t let such events ruin the night for yourself or others. Once it’s dealt with, address the issue again the following day. This gives the employee in question a means to present their case, even if their actions were unacceptable.

Manage next-day lateness and absences

It’s normal for workplace Christmas parties to involve delicious food, endless alcohol, and non-stop festivities. Any one of these can lead to employees feeling exhausted the next day.

To avoid facing last-minute, unauthorised absences, why not offer an incentive to encourage attendance at work the next day? Offer free breakfast items or even allow them to start work one hour later than usual. A little leniency represents trust and understanding – remember, they’ve worked hard, too.

Ensure employees are fit enough to work

It’s important to ensure all employees who attend work the following day are fit enough to work. This means checking if they’re under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other toxic substances.

If it’s part of your business policy, you could conduct alcohol/substance testing. Anyone who fails testing should not be allowed to work and sent home. This might seem harsh, but it’s best to avoid doing any harm to themselves or others around them.

Offer inclusive food and drink menus

Some employees may not drink alcohol due to religious or personal reasons, putting them off from attending the Christmas party. This also applies to menus lacking diverse dietary alternatives, like halal or vegetarian/vegan options.

It’s important to ensure these employees’ concerns are heard. The last thing you want is for them the feel excluded, as this can affect their engagement and morale in the future. Speak to them about offering alternatives. For example, you could offer mocktails as a non-alcoholic drinks option.

Be considerate for non-attendees

You might have employees who were unable to attend the Christmas party. This might relate to a last-minute issue, like being unable to arrange childcare for the night. Certain employees may choose not to attend the Christmas party due to cultural or religious beliefs. Others may suffer from social anxiety – passing on your party invite.

Avoid showing any form of prejudice for their non-attendance. These things can happen at any time, and often beyond their control. It shouldn’t reflect their character or capability as an employee.

Get expert advice on managing HR risks during workplace Christmas parties with Peninsula

We all look forward to the end-of-year Christmas party. So, the last thing you want to face is issues of gross misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. With the right steps, you’ll be able to party hard – free from stress and worries from your staff.

Peninsula offers expert advice on managing HR risks during work Christmas parties. We also offer 24-hour HR advice service – ensuring your festivities are in line with legal and company regulations.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with an HR consultant today.