With festive functions in full swing, getting ‘merry’ with our colleagues is one way many of us like to wind down after a busy year. But a leading lawyer has warned the office Christmas party can sometimes create issues of its own which employers may find themselves responsible for if things go wrong.
From the risk of being landed with an expensive court case, staff members losing their jobs and firms suffering damage to their reputation, the potential fall-out from a Christmas party can be serious.
And, in light of a growing line of case law suggesting that an employer may be found responsible for their (albeit unreasonable) employees’ actions, if there is a clear link between the employment and an incident which happens, employers should be aware of how to protect themselves in advance.
Louise Plant, Senior Associate and head of personal injury at Ipswich-based law firm Prettys, looks at the ‘dos and don’ts’ to ensure Christmas parties don’t leave employers or their staff with a terrible hangover…