Christmas is the time for cheer, the office Christmas party and the odd tipple but are you aware of the risks to you as an employer?
If you are going to provide drinks at the office party, limit the number of free drinks and make sure there are plenty of non alcoholic choices available. This will avoid any issues of religious discrimination. Be prepared to send an employee home if their conduct becomes inappropriate.
Remember that employers can be held responsible for employee’s actions during and after the Christmas party. If your employees have been drinking make sure that they don’t drive home and give some thought to providing pre-arranged transport. It doesn’t have to be at your cost but paying for a cab or mini bus could save you a lot in the long run.
Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs in the course of employment can have serious consequences for an employer at Christmas, or any other time. If your employee causes a death as a result of driving under the influence you as the employer can be held liable and the Courts have the power to order huge fines that could bankrupt a small company. Even worse, you could be faced with a prison sentence for corporate manslaughter.
If you are planning on decking the halls of the office with boughs of holly you must also be aware of health and safety issues. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents over 1,000 people are injured every year by unsecured Christmas trees. If you are planning on party balloons, just be aware that over 3.6million people have a latex allergy.
Needless to say, it is essential to make sure that you have an up to date policy and a no-nonsense approach to disciplining any employee found to be driving whilst under the influence or whose conduct becomes inappropriate. Getting this right isn’t just for Christmas.
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