legal updates
Sunday, 13 Dec 2009
three ghosts of christmas
For those who could not attend last week’s lively Forum (and for those who did but consumed a little too much mulled wine) here’s our Christmas present to you – tips to avoid the Christmas Party HR hangover and our employment law predictions for next year.
1. Plan ahead
Ensure you are not alienating employees whose faith requires them not to participate in the planned festivities or who cannot attend because or their normal hours of work or child care commitments. Do not plan the event with a particular age group in mind.
Make it clear in advance exactly what behaviour is (or is not) acceptable – not just at the event itself but during the hours afterwards and the following morning. This is important as an employer could be held responsible for the actions of its employees. Also make it clear that employees are expected to report for work on time and in a state fit to work the morning after the night before.
2. Alcohol
Limit the amount of free alcohol you provide and do not let staff drive home. If the budget won’t stretch to a bus or taxis to take employees home at the end of the night make sure you’ve kept your wits about you (limiting your own alcohol intake will help) to ensure no one is getting behind the wheel and/or choose a venue with good public transport links.
3. Evidence of the night before
It is not unusual for Office Party antics to be captured on camera – photographs often appearing on any number of social networking sites. Make it clear to that inappropriate images should not be posted online and disciplinary action will be taken in the event of any breach. Many employers now carry out regular checks of these sites to ensure they are being used responsibly by employees in the connection with their employment.
Looking ahead to 2010:
-
Sickness absence during any period of pre-booked annual leave will continue to cause legal and administrative headaches for employers.
-
Age discrimination in the context of redundancy will be under scrutiny.
-
The Acas Code of Practice is likely to be tested for the first time in the Employment Tribunals.
Before we conclude here, one last point is not to forget the out of office assistant! The winner from last weeks seminar for the best out of office reply was Bill with: ‘Gone for Christmas…will be back present-ly!’ Bill, your no expense spared prize awaits you.