Human resources bosses 'must warn staff over Xmas party behaviour'

Staff should be warned about their conduct at the Christmas party by their employers, according to an industry expert.

Human resources managers have been told that they should warn their staff about how they behave at the Christmas party, especially as employers still have a duty of care to their employees during such events.

Ben Wilmott, senior public policy advisor for The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said human resources departments needed to be aware that their company could fall foul of the law if cases of occupational bullying or sexual harassment take place during a party.

"Employers need to remind staff of their responsibilities before the Christmas party just to make sure those sorts of issues hopefully don't arise," he said.

He added that employers should try to ensure their staff did not drink on an empty stomach by providing food and soft drinks at the party.

According to legal firm Dickinson Dees, employers should issue clear guidelines to staff before any such event in order to protect themselves from potential compensation claims.

Updated: 28 October 2009.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.