ARTICLE · 15 AUGUST 2016

Avoiding a legal hangover at a workplace event

Sparke Helmore Lawyers

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If an incident occurs at a workplace event, there is no guaranteed hangover cure for either an employee or an employer.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Laura Regan (Formerly With Sparke Helmore Lawyers)

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Whether it's to network, celebrate an occasion or boost office morale, at some point there will be a workplace event at which employers will either directly or indirectly provide alcohol to their employees.

However, alcohol and employment do not always make for an agreeable cocktail. A legal minefield can await when an employee, as a result of consuming too much alcohol, behaves inappropriately either during or in connection to the event. This can leave an employer open to claims such as bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, compensation, unfair dismissal and health and safety breaches.

This raises the question, how do you ensure everyone has a good time without the legal hangover?

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