As the Christmas party season approaches HR and senior
management are faced with ensuring that employees' behaviour
does not get out of hand. The office party is a treat and a
thank you for the staff for their hard work during the year but
often, when alcohol is involved, it can lead to things getting out
of control.
Many companies allow a "laddish" culture to thrive
where banter is commonplace; whilst employees may feel more relaxed
in such an environment it is all too easy for "edgy"
comments to be taken the wrong way and for things to spiral out of
control. The Christmas party is the perfect environment for a
situation to blow up when challenging comments are made and the
resulting fall-out can have serious repercussions for the business
and can even end up in the Employment Tribunal when alcohol loosens
the tongue and takes the brakes off inhibitions.
