Approach with caution: office Christmas party season ahead

The traditional office Christmas party as we know it has been on hold the last couple of years and it is likely to make a comeback this year – but it should also come with a warning.

History tells us that the mix of alcohol, a party atmosphere, a get together outside of the normal working environment and inappropriate behaviour towards others, can leave employers and employees with more than a nasty hangover.

Serious allegations arising from the festive office bash, which lead to a member of staff being dismissed are not uncommon.

In previous years a London zookeeper was reportedly found to have been unfairly dismissed after a fight with a colleague at the Christmas party, but received zero compensation https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/payout-london-zoo-keeper-unfairly-dismissed-christmas-party-fight/

And a tribunal found an employee who punched a colleague in the face on the walk home from the Christmas party was fairly dismissed because it could be considered work-related https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/christmas-party-punch-ups-were-these-fair-dismissals/

The first devastating wave of Covid put paid to the office Christmas party in 2020, with the festive knees-up taking place online if it did go ahead https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54894806

Last year the emergence of the Omicron strain of the virus meant we were advised to scale back Christmas party plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59580047

But with lockdown, social distancing and restrictions on numbers gathering maybe starting to feel like a distant memory, it seems as if it is time to party once again.

However, you still need to be extremely careful because the office party with its annual cocktail of fun is always mixed with risk.

As it is a work event it means any complaints about any type of misbehaviour will have to be dealt with.