According to current statistics, a third of business aren’t preparing on hosting the standard workplace Christmas Party this year, amidst issues about legal action due to inebriated antics and so forth. While I can safely say there are many more office security threats during a celebration than the rest of the year (most workplaces simply aren’t built for that level of treats, alcohol and cheesy music), with a little thinking ahead the workplace Christmas celebration can end up being the popular institution it once was– without the dark cloud of litigation hanging overhead.
Here are 5 workplace health and safety actions you can take to minimise the risk of a litigious post celebration hangover.
1) Take it out of the office
The most convenient method of avoiding the legal minefield of work environment health and wellness laws is to take it out of the office! As I pointed out previously, the common workplace with its computer systems, water cooler and cubicles is just not developed for the antics and tomfoolery of the stereotyped office Christmas celebration. Scheduling a dining establishment or a hotel might appear like an unnecessary cost in the short term, however the various environment will assist people loosen up and enjoy themselves, and your precious copy machine will not be damaged by the exhibitionist workplace clown!
2) Leave off the Mistletoe
By taking it off the list of designs, you will limit your duty if somebody does feel harassed or intimidated– keep in mind that if you are funding the celebration, then the party will still come under the office guidelines, including those pertaining to sexual harassment. As a cautioning about office conduct in general, an employee from Merill Lynch was paid a ₤ 1,000,000 out of court settlement over comments about her sex life and breasts at the office Christmas celebration, so keep an eye out for unsuitable conduct.
3) Look out for risks
If you can’t spending plan to have the office somewhere else, make sure you’re not creating problem where there were no occupational health and security dangers prior to. Common Christmas workplace safety pitfalls can be easily avoided: Don’t allow individuals to stand on office chairs or desks to put up decorations and do not permit fire threats like Christmas lights to be hung on computer systems or air vents.
4) Watch out for the alcohol
It’s unsurprising that numerous managers are horrified at the office health and safety inspector’s headache: integrating alcohol with pricey workplace devices. There are actions you can take towards limiting the potential for damage and assisting office safety.
5) Put on transportation
Scheduling some taxis or supplying rooms for party goers to sleep may seem like an unneeded expenditure at the end of the night, however the cost is far less than the risk they would cause to themselves by drink driving, or the damage to the company if they take legal action against due to a mishap as they stagger back to their homes. And the additional cost involved is all in the spirit of Christmas, and will make sure that for just one day, you aren’t compared to Ebenezer Scrooge!
One last word of guidance: According to a recent survey, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas and The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York are our preferred Christmas tunes, while Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine, and Wham’s Last Christmas are best prevented if you wish to keep the moaning to a minimum! Some would call a Christmas over extravagance in Cliff an even more worrying breach of health and wellness laws, than a little alcoholic abuse!
According to recent stats, a 3rd of companies aren’t preparing on hosting the conventional workplace Christmas Party this year, in the middle of concerns about legal action due to intoxicated shenanigans and so forth. While I can safely state there are lots of more office safety dangers during a party than the rest of the year (most workplaces simply aren’t constructed for that level of treats, alcohol and tacky music), with a little thinking ahead the workplace Christmas celebration can end up being the well known institution it once was– without the dark cloud of litigation hanging overhead. As I discussed earlier, the typical workplace with its computer systems, water cooler and cubicles is just not developed for the shenanigans and tomfoolery of the stereotypical workplace Christmas celebration. As a warning about office conduct in basic, a worker from Merill Lynch was paid a ₤ 1,000,000 out of court settlement over comments about her sex life and breasts at the office Christmas celebration, so keep an eye out for improper conduct.
Normal Christmas office security risks can be easily avoided: Don’t permit individuals to stand on workplace chairs or desks to put up decorations and don’t permit fire threats like Christmas lights to be hung on computers or air vents.
Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice
WHS Act 2011
WHS Regulations 2017
