Legal expert issues warning over how this year's Christmas party could ruin your career
A legal expert has warned that you could be waking up with more than just a hangover if you misbehave at your work Christmas party this year.
Christmas is less than two weeks away and for many of us this means the return of the annual work Christmas do - party hats, booze and trying your very best to avoid the office bore.
But while it may be a social gathering, one legal expert has warned that it’s still a work event and, as such, means you should behave accordingly - unless you fancy a P45 for Christmas.
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Employment law expert Katherine Cook told the Shropshire Star that - as you might imagine - work Christmas parties that revolve around alcohol led to an increase in problems.
She says that this month and next, her and her team see a ‘surge’ in businesses asking for advice about disciplinaries and bad behaviour including violence and ‘discriminatory comments’.
Cook explained: “Christmas parties are work events so employers can be liable for employee actions during those events and employees can face disciplinary consequences for their actions.”
She added: “There is an obvious correlation between the amount of drinking that happens at an event and the number of problems experienced. Some of our clients who have scrapped their free bar policy have noticed a clear improvement in staff behaviour.”
Cook went on to warn that employers should send around an email in the run-up to the party making clear what's expected of staff and ask a senior member of staff to remain sober to keep an eye out for employers.
She also suggested bosses to throw a gathering that doesn’t have boozing as its main event, as this can lead to problems with inclusivity for those who don’t drink.
Meanwhile, employers have been warned that bad behaviour such as fighting, harassment and damage to company property can all come with consequences.
Sarah Austin of Cardiff and London-based firm Capital Law said: "A lot of these issues arise from dampened inhibitions due to alcohol consumption and it’s important that employers deal with this effectively following company procedures to ensure any disciplinaries or dismissals are made fairly and with just reason as well as protecting employees of the business from the behaviour of other employees.”
Falling foul of the rules can lead to disciplinary action and even dismissal if it’s serious enough.
My advice? Don’t drink too much and don’t be a d**khead. Merry Christmas!
Topics: Christmas
Claire Reid