Of course, Christmas season is the time to unwind, relax and party!
However, when you think about the legal aspect and legalities of having an office party, it is not as simple as you think. Taking legal precautions help with unexpected and unwelcome behaviour at office parties. Here is how you and your party can stay out of legal trouble this Christmas.
1. Outline a Policy
When you put out the next reminder memo for the office Christmas party, send a policy along with it. This shouldn’t be a policy with legal sounding words in a long winding document. No one will read that. It should be a simple one that gives clarity of what is expected at the party and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
2. Hear out Grievances
While it is easy to brush off grievances after a party, don’t do it. Take your own policy seriously, take the grievance seriously. If you don’t, you are creating a legal liability that can have serious consequences for your organisation. Address the grievance, investigate, talk to people and if you feel there is sufficient truth in the grievance, take action. Such things will only make your organisation stronger and safer.
3. Social Media
Parties always spill over to social media with selfies, pictures and what not. Be on the lookout for inappropriate conversations. This includes harassments or aggressive and disrespectful conversations. Social media has an added danger because whatever occurs on it is not behind the closed doors of the organisation and is open for everyone to see.
4. Party Banter
While alcohol tends to loosen tongues, you don’t want the party banter to turn racist or sexist. Having a clear company policy on this helps, and even if it is just a party, you need to take action according to the policy set out.
5. Lower the Volume
It’s a Christmas party so it’s understandable that music is going to be blaring out, really loud. If your office, or the party area, has residential homes next to it, lower the volume so that sound does not disturb them. You do not want to be breaking the law.
By 11 pm, the music should be shut to stay within the municipal laws.
Taking these precautions may look like a hassle but they will save your organisation a boatload of trouble and legal problems later on.