In a few short weeks, Santa and his sleigh bells will be ringing across the night skies bringing cheer and great anticipation to hearts of millions of children around the world. Christmas is also a time of festivity for families and friends as they gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ or simply to give thanks and show gratitude for another year of fellowship.
For many businesses, Christmas is a time for employers to say thank you to their employees for another year of productivity, loyalty and service. And as many who would have attended these events in past years may have experienced, it is also a time when employees who have felt hard done by during the year, buoyed by Dutch courage, use this time to purge their repressed feelings towards their manager, co-worker or CEO. And then there’s the few who use alcohol as an excuse to harass another with unwanted advances. Alcohol does bring out the unpleasantness in some people sadly.
Knowing and anticipating what to expect, below are 10 things that businesses can do to make this annual event fun, safe and pleasant for everyone.
- Set your expectations
Ahead of the party, let your employees know what you expect of them. This is a good time to remind through an internal memo, email or newsletter, your policies on harassment, alcohol and drugs and even the dress code. What is your policy on inter-office romance? Iterate that drink driving is not an option and if transport is provided, what times pick up and drop offs are and if need be, arrange a cab system so people can get home safely afterwards.
- Plan ahead
Review the venue and see if security is required. If you’re serving alcohol, someone should be designated to oversee that this is served responsibly and the people drinking are not going to be driving themselves afterwards. An overseer at these events provides assurances to party goers.
- Make the event optional
Work parties are not for everyone and the pressure to be part of a team places unnecessary stress on those who would prefer to not attend. Let your employees know that it is optional.
- Keep it civil and professional
Nothing worse than a Coyote Ugly moment than drinking games like kissing under the mistletoe. Employees have to see each other at work again and continue to engage at a professional level, work parties are no different to maintaining that level of professionalism.
- Limit alcohol
Organise a system of serving alcohol so that your team members don’t get smashed and out of control. Time limits, drink limits (so many tickets per person) and wristbands are a good start. Ensure that if you have employees below the age of majority, that they are not served alcohol. Serve food with alcohol. Nothing absorbs alcohol faster than an empty stomach. Certainly, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks would not go amiss.
- Hands in front, fingers laced
At these parties, there is always that one person who’s all hands. Yes, you know the one. It’s not difficult to spot him/her. Mobilise the overseer to gently prise the handsy one away and remind him/her that such behaviour is causing discomfort and it is not OK. Respecting each other is key and this is reflected also in the language used when in company.
- Make safety a priority
The welfare and safety of your employees should always be the number one priority. When your employees bring their partners to work functions, look for warning signs of domestic abuse. Alcohol can escalate an already volatile situation so it’s important that things do not get out of hand.
- Include everyone
Christmas is Christian Holiday – that’s a fact. You may have non-Christian employees who may feel excluded if celebrations take on a religious theme. Use this as an opportunity to celebrate diversity. Remember Chrismukkah and Kwanzaa?
- Address situations immediately
Tact, discretion and calm can help diffuse situations that look likely to get out of control. Keep an eye out for a co-worker or employee who may be upset, is being harassed or needs rescuing from an uncomfortable conversation. There might even be a situation with a co-worker’s out of control drinking. Address the situation immediately. If the person is causing distress or discomfort to others, have them leave the function.
- Most of all, enjoy the festivities
Preparation is 90 percent of the work done. If you can anticipate the issues and have ways to address them, you are on your way to having a great time. Keep the event light with secret Santa gifts and fun prizes for winners of holiday-themes games.
Keep in mind that employers have a duty of care at all work organised events and as such can be liable to civil and or criminal action if things go amiss.
Further reading: Christmas Work Functions – When does an Employer’s Duty of Care End?
Please contact Lauren Morrison at Lauren@lmhr.com.au or Mob: 0400 225 499 if you would like to learn more about how LM HR Consulting can assist your business with your HRM requirements.
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