Given
the opportunity, all employees like to let their hair down every now and then. Especially
at Christmas, when the infamous Christmas party often results in hangovers for
staff and HR headaches for the boss!
A
common sense approach remains the best advice from The HR Dept to avoid the
annual pitfalls of the staff Christmas party. The HR Dept has provided top tips
for throwing a hassle-free Christmas party:
·
Above
all, plan something that is easy to manage
·
An
open bar is best to avoid as it encourages people to drink to excess
·
Remind
staff about their conduct during the party and that the staff party is an
extension of the workplace
·
Arrange
transport home if possible
·
Try
to ensure that staff do not have to be in early the next day
·
Use
the Christmas party as an opportunity to boost morale but remember not everyone
likes parties
·
Bear
in mind that if certain behaviour is something your mother would disapprove of,
it is probably best not to do it.
Simon
Morgan, Director of The HR Dept [North Kent and South East London] says: “it is also worth bearing in mind that employees
have landed themselves in hot water for posting inappropriate comments on
social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. Ensure your employees
know your policy before they are tempted to voice their opinions”.
The
HR Dept is far from being ‘bah-humbug’ as there is still such value in the
annual Christmas bash to thank staff for their hard work throughout the year.
It is just unfortunate that the stories that reach the press are usually about
the ‘fallout’ and the inevitable Tribunal claims!
