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Employer guide to Christmas parties!

#alcoholconsumption #christmas #christmasparty #employee #employer #workfunctions #workplacepolicies Dec 11, 2024

The Christmas season is here!

As we enter the lead up to Christmas, many companies will start holding their end of year functions and Christmas parties. It’s an exciting time of year as work begins to wrap up and people are ready to celebrate the year with their teammates.

Whilst it is a chance to wind down, employers and employees still have a duty of care and obligation to themselves, their colleagues and the company, to act in an appropriate way throughout any Christmas festivities.

Here’s a few tips & tricks for employers ahead of the Christmas party season:

  • Define clear expectations with your team ahead of the function, such as is considered appropriate behaviour and what is not. This way if something doesn’t quite go to plan, employers were transparent regarding expectations. We want to minimise any surprises!
  • Remind employees of the company policies and code of conduct. This includes bullying, harassment & discrimination, social media policies, health & safety, personal vehicle use etc.
  • Responsible serving of alcohol. If the event involves alcohol, ensure adequate food is supplied and discuss alternative transport options ahead of the event. 
  • Any staff under the age of 18? Be sure to send out parent or guardian consent forms.
  • Cater for everyone! Have a variety of options available at the function. This could be games, awards, interactive pop ups etc
  • Have a set start and finish time for the event. Ensure to announce when the event has formally ended. 
  • Touch base and check in with staff throughout the event. It’s a great opportunity to show employees your appreciation.

If following the event any complaints or issues arise, ensure to respond to these promptly and address any staff concerns in line with the companies policies & procedures. Please feel free to reach out to the team at Employii for any assistance via [email protected]. We are more than happy to help!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas!

Author: Jess Roughsedge (HR Officer)