With every holiday season comes the time-honored tradition of the office holiday party. A chance for companies nationwide to thank their workforces–and for employees to kick back with co-workers, clients and customers to celebrate the year’s accomplishments–these delightful functions can sometimes turn frightful for employers if they’re not well-managed. In the spirit of the year-end “Top 10” playlists, this article provides our own playlist (in no particular order) of do’s and don’ts to minimize the risk of problems.
10. Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
Each year, the office holiday party season provides an excellent opportunity to remind employees of the employer’s anti-harassment and workplace conduct policies, which apply to out-of-office functions such as the company’s holiday party or any other social gathering employees attend together. In the weeks leading up to the party, an email should go out to every employee attaching the applicable policies and outlining the company’s expectation that employees will conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with these policies. This email will clearly define the lines not to be crossed at the event.
