The Irish Mail on Sunday

Employers warned to be prepared for wild parties this post-Covid Christmas

Expert warns to expect HR headaches as staff let loose

- By Colm McGuirk news@mailonsund­ay.ie

EMPLOYERS are bracing themselves for a potential tsunami of HR headaches as workers prepare to let their hair down at post-Covid Christmas parties.

Most companies were forced to call off their traditiona­l festivitie­s due to the Covid-19 emergency.

The Irish Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Christmas parties are set to return with a bang this year after the three-year hiatus.

But human resources experts warn over-indulgence could leave employers dealing with possible reputation­al damage and a spate of internal complaints arising out of the work parties.

Damien McCarthy, chief and co-founder of HR Buddy, which provides HR support for small and medium businesses, warned employers can be liable for unsavoury incidents at events, and should advise staff on their behaviour accordingl­y.

‘Quite often what happens at Christmas parties is that something will be said that

‘It’s an open bar, they’re nervous and it ends badly’

would not normally be said during the normal working day,’ he told the MoS.

‘It may cause embarrassm­ent, it may impact on working relationsh­ips, it may lead to a complaint.’

Aside from being the first proper Christmas parties in three years, the fact that many employees will be meeting face-to-face for the first time may lead to an over-reliance on Dutch courage, Mr McCarthy said.

‘Where mistakes can be made with employers is, it’s an open bar for two hours, someone shows up and they lash into the free bar,’ he said.

‘They’re a little nervous, they’re meeting some of their work colleagues for the first time, and all of a sudden it ends up being just a night of embarrassm­ent for them really. So it’s about employers being wise – communicat­ing beforehand and perhaps not concentrat­ing on just alcohol-related fun.’

Mr McCarthy added there has ‘most certainly’ been a rise in reports of workAnd place harassment incidents since the #MeToo movement. He said the culture of going out for a Christmas party after work and ‘throwing caution to the wind’ is ‘a big risk’.

‘Especially around alcohol, things can happen,’ he warned. ‘Things can be said, and that can have a huge impact and cause an enormous grievance for an individual. all of a sudden you’re dealing with a very serious situation in your workplace.’

Even when the party moves away from the official venue and the employer is no longer liable for staff, extreme reputation­al damage is possible. ‘It has happened in the past where workplaces have been refused entry to venues the following year, and it could have perhaps been over an incident with one individual on a different premises after the Christmas party had finished – an incident that could happen in any bar in any town or village on any night of the year,’ said Mr McCarthy. ‘But because it was a Christmas party night for that employer, their reputation gets damaged. The business’s name gets attached with that incident.’

HR Buddy, based in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, also advises clients to brief staff on use of social media at parties. He said ‘some Christmas parties have turned out to be the worst PR event that they’ve ever run’, after debauched incidents went viral online.

‘I would encourage, let’s say the line manager of a team, before the Christmas party night, to talk about social media and ask people to just leave it alone and have a good night,’ he said. ‘And perhaps that should be actually a written policy as part of your social media policy in your staff handbook.’

Serious discussion­s around work should be avoided at Christmas parties too, he advised.

‘Very often when conversati­ons like that happen at a Christmas party, they can be misconstru­ed,’ he said. ‘They’re taking place when alcohol is being consumed. So it can complicate matters when they don’t need to be complicate­d. I suppose Christmas parties need to be about increasing morale and saying thanks to your employees, and everyone should be clear on what the event is about.

‘It’s a very nice opportunit­y for a social gathering, and letting your hair down at the end of the year.

‘But it should be mentioned that you’re still representi­ng the business and the codes of conduct with regard to dignity and respect.’

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