Holiday Parties

Planning for Holiday Parties as an Employer & Employee

Holiday parties are a wonderful way to conclude the year by celebrating your successes as a company. However, holiday cheer can quickly turn into a legal nightmare if both employers and employees do not plan carefully.

It is well established that employers have a duty to keep their employees safe from harm while at work. Canadian courts have held that this duty extends to company social events, including the annual holiday party. Similarly, despite the fact that the holiday party may not occur during work hours or at the office, employees must be aware that they can still be disciplined for inappropriate conduct.

Given these realities, it is important that both employers and employees act carefully when planning, hosting and attending the office holiday party. Below are some suggestions that will help both parties limit their liability arising out of a holiday party:

Tips For Employers

• Develop and implement a policy for company social events. This policy should be well communicated prior to the social event and at the very least, announced to employees at the start of the event.
• Consider hosting your event at a restaurant or a hotel. These facilities have trained servers who can better monitor alcohol consumption amongst your guests. If you do decide to have your event on company premises, hire a bartender or server. The servers should stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears intoxicated and should let you know who these people are so that you can ensure that they get home safely.
• Give your guests a limited amount of free drinks based on the length of the event and whether food is served (example – 2 drink tickets and an array of appetizers for a 4 hour event).
• Make sure that you have plenty of non-alcoholic drink options. Not only is this helpful in limiting your liability, but it will go a long way on making your employees who do not drink alcohol (because of religious or personal reasons) feel included.
• Close the bar at least an hour before the conclusion of the event.
• Offer free taxi rides or coordinated car pools with a designated driver to make sure your guests arrive home safely and do not drink and drive.
• Discourage and avoid drinking with guests at other locations once the company social event has
• Make sure that you have host liability insurance coverage.

Tips For Employees

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and ensure you eat some food if drinking alcohol.
• Try to limit conversations to hobbies, family, and holiday plans. Ensure to avoid controversial topics, such as religion, politics, etc.
• Make sure you have a safe ride home.
• Ensure you dress appropriately.