With the arrival of the holiday season, many HR departments are tasked with handling important aspects of workplace operations such as scheduling vacation time and making preparations to wrap up the year. And often, with all of this work comes the opportunity to celebrate another year and have some fun with colleagues at the annual holiday party.
When planning your company’s holiday party, however, there are several legal considerations that you will want to bear in mind. Although it is intended to be fun, the party is still a work event, and it is up to HR to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.
One serious concern for HR is sexual harassment. Even if the party is held out of the office, it is still a company event, and transgressions that take place can still have ramifications for the business. However, as Payscale notes, a lawsuit may not always make the company liable. It is important to employ best practices to ensure that a lawsuit does not happen at all and that all employees are able to have a safe and fun time.
A sexual harassment claim is not the only threat an office party can pose. The article goes on to further explain the possible dangers of an employee becoming injured or even dying as a result of a company event. Involving alcohol may contribute to the possibility of an accident taking place. Ultimately, it is up to HR to know the possible liabilities involved in different celebratory events, and act in the best interest of the company.
When it comes to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace, a comprehensive HR software solution can help manage every important detail.