epar: Establish the ground rules for your work Christmas function

As workplaces begin planning their staff Christmas function it is important your staff understand that whilst they may be “off the clock”, this is a work function and all safety and HR legislative responsibilities apply.

Christmas functionsare considered “employer-sponsored events” and employers can be held responsible for employees’ behaviour.

We’ve all heard stories about work functions getting out of hand, particularly when colleagues have too much to drink. From the exhibitionists to the karaoke divas and the brave employees who choose to get stuck into everyone, or the employees who embarrass themselves.

It’s important we all understand that whilst you may be “off the clock”,this is a work function and all safety and HR legislative responsibilities apply.

Accidents, discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying,intoxication, drug abuse, assaults, racial harassment are just a handful of issues that could arise when people decide to let their hair down.

Please, everyone enjoy yourself but try not to complain, gossip, criticise, scheme or plot. Christmas parties are to be enjoyed -they’re not an opportunity for you to vent about everything wrong at work.

Put everything aside for a few hours and enjoy the hospitality

epar’s most popular Team Stand UP Talks – “Let’s Talk About Our Christmas Function Rules.”  We believe this Stand UP talk has been communicated to staff on more than 10,000 occasions. We recommend the document be downloaded and the information communicated to your staff and recorded in your epar Connect system.