PROMOTION Look out - it's party time! The festive season is fast approaching and many businesses will be aranging Christmas parties for staff hese events aregreat for building morale and celebrating the year's successes, but. Richard Gvero, Head of Employment Lanw at Longmores Solicitors, confirms the unsortunate truth:"What happens at the Christmas party will not necessarily stay at the Christmas party-sometimes with disastrous consequences Socializing at these events, often with the provision of unlimited akcohol, can lead staff to behave in ways that they would oedinarily regret and as the event is likely to be regarded as an extension of the workplace disciplinary action can result. parties as purely social. If the misconduct is serious eg violence or abusive behaviour, dismissal can result and cannot be communicated on social mediac these policies should be taken seriously Inshoet, we musin't forget that our obligations as employers and employees arenot confined to the walls of the office and are certainly not suspended when we are in party mode So whilstit is indeed the season to be jolly. don't ignore the hazards! Employers also need to be careful they may be liable for employee misdeeds because they are ina work setting albeit a sociable one. Employers should also avoid discrimination or harassment traps such asinsisting on attendance at Christmas parties (forgetting that Chrismas is a Christian celebration) or not bearing in mind dietary requirements of religious groups Iknow it's "Bah humbug but increasingly Christmas party policies are put in place setting out the parameters of acceptable behaviour, including what can This can come as shock to those employees who are likely to view sach LONGMORES SOLICITORS Tried and trusted since 1819 A progressive firm of specialist solicitors advising individuals, families and businesses Visit our website for 01992 300333 more information 24 Castle Street Hertford longmores.law SG14 1HP PROMOTION Look out - it's party time! The festive season is fast approaching and many businesses will be aranging Christmas parties for staff hese events aregreat for building morale and celebrating the year's successes, but. Richard Gvero, Head of Employment Lanw at Longmores Solicitors, confirms the unsortunate truth:"What happens at the Christmas party will not necessarily stay at the Christmas party-sometimes with disastrous consequences Socializing at these events, often with the provision of unlimited akcohol, can lead staff to behave in ways that they would oedinarily regret and as the event is likely to be regarded as an extension of the workplace disciplinary action can result. parties as purely social. If the misconduct is serious eg violence or abusive behaviour, dismissal can result and cannot be communicated on social mediac these policies should be taken seriously Inshoet, we musin't forget that our obligations as employers and employees arenot confined to the walls of the office and are certainly not suspended when we are in party mode So whilstit is indeed the season to be jolly. don't ignore the hazards! Employers also need to be careful they may be liable for employee misdeeds because they are ina work setting albeit a sociable one. Employers should also avoid discrimination or harassment traps such asinsisting on attendance at Christmas parties (forgetting that Chrismas is a Christian celebration) or not bearing in mind dietary requirements of religious groups Iknow it's "Bah humbug but increasingly Christmas party policies are put in place setting out the parameters of acceptable behaviour, including what can This can come as shock to those employees who are likely to view sach LONGMORES SOLICITORS Tried and trusted since 1819 A progressive firm of specialist solicitors advising individuals, families and businesses Visit our website for 01992 300333 more information 24 Castle Street Hertford longmores.law SG14 1HP