Holiday office parties are as much of a tradition as the season itself. The office holiday party is an obligatory rite of passage this time of year. It’s a great time to relax and enjoy your colleagues and get to know them in a more relaxed and non-work environment. Yet, it’s also fraught with danger. It is becoming more and more commonplace that a holiday office party becomes a breeding ground for unwanted personal, social, and sexual advances. Such situations put you and your company in legal danger.
1)Re-publish the company’s sexual harassment policy before holiday parties take placeRemind employees that holiday festivities do not offer an excuse for violating policy. If a company doesnot have a written policy, this would be a good time to implement one. (Probably too late now to do that.)2)Remind all employees of the company’s code of conduct and/or dress code.3)Managers should be trained in sexual harassment policies and steps to avoid the behaviors that lead to sexual harassment.4)Keep an eye on alcohol consumption. Managers, supervisors, and owners should keep a close eye on alcohol consumption since there’s a direct correlation between the amount of consumption and the lowering of inhibitions.