How Risky Is Your Festive Party?

This is the first year when the new duty to prevent sexual harassment in England and Wales will be in force over the festive season. As employers make plans to celebrate with their workforces, how do sexual harassment risk assessments apply to workplace parties?

The perennial issue of inappropriate behaviour at workplace parties over the festive season is even more relevant this year, as the new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment is now in place. We explore how this has changed things – and how you might risk assess your upcoming festive party.

Festive parties - a reminder of the issues

Anyone who has worked in HR will talk of the dread the morning after the end-of-year party, waiting for the flurry of complaints about inappropriate behaviour, largely brought on by alcohol. For employers, managing this is a fine line to tread. You want to ensure that colleagues feel valued and celebrated but keep the boundaries clear, being mindful that employers