Client Update: 12 tips for the company holiday party
Mark Tector and Killian McParland
‘Tis again the season for the company holiday party. And while the party planners are starting to break out the eggnog, there are some lessons learned from seasons past to keep in mind to ensure that the party runs smoothly and safely for all.
Employers should be aware that they can be responsible both for what happens during the holiday party and, sometimes, for what happens after. With that in mind, and borrowing from the “12 days of Christmas”, here are our 12 tips for the company holiday party:
- Remind employees that they are to conduct themselves appropriately and that the company’s policies – including the anti-harassment, respectful workplace, and social media policies – continue to apply.
- Make attendance voluntary and invite significant others.
- No mistletoe.
- No open bar.
- If alcohol is offered, make sure to offer non-alcoholic options as well and to manage alcohol intake – for example, by providing drink tickets.
- Promote responsible drinking and hire professional bartenders.
- Ensure that plenty of food is available when serving alcohol.
- With its recent legalization, remind employees of the company’s policies in relation to Cannabis, which may include a ban on the use of recreational Cannabis at work events.
- For bigger parties you may also consider hiring security (if not provided by the host location). Alternatively, for smaller parties, consider designating someone to monitor the event.
- Distribute taxi vouchers (or other transport, such as chartering a bus) to ensure that everyone gets home safe and sound.
- Depending on the circumstances and location, arrange for there to be hotel rooms available nearby (perhaps at a discounted or group price) if anyone can’t make it home. Communicate such options to employees prior to the event.
- Security or the designated monitor should be keeping an eye out for anyone who may be impaired – whether due to alcohol or other substances including Cannabis. Any impaired guest should not be allowed to drive. If there is resistance, the authorities may need to be called.
Putting the above tips into practice is not about being a holiday “Grinch”, but taking reasonable steps in order to promote a holiday party that is both safe and merry.
This update is intended for general information only. If you have questions about the above, please contact a member of our Labour and Employment group.
Archive
The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (the “Commission”) has issued a holiday reminder to municipalities in Prince Edward Island about the importance of preparation, accuracy, and transparency when making decisions related to land use and…
Read MoreBy Brian G. Johnston, QC On the same day that the Nova Scotia government announced its projected deficit had ballooned to $241 million, it also introduced Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act (“Act”). The stated purposes…
Read MoreBy Jennifer Taylor – Research Lawyer Nova Scotia’s Cyber-safety Act1 is no more, after a successful Charterchallenge to the legislation. In Crouch v Snell, 2015 NSSC 340, Justice McDougall of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia found the entire statute—enacted in…
Read MoreBy Jennifer Taylor Introduction: Did Ontario have jurisdiction? Arguments about access to justice are not enough to oust the general principles of jurisdiction, according to a recent Ontario case. In Forsythe v Westfall, 2015 ONCA 810, the…
Read MorePART I: THE NSCA DECISION IN BRINE “Disability insurance is a peace of mind contract”: that’s the opening line of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal’s long-awaited decision in Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc…
Read MoreThe taxation of estates, testamentary trusts and certain “life interest trusts” such as alter ego, joint partner and spousal trusts, and the rules for charitable donations made on death through an estate are changing significantly…
Read MoreSeveral important changes in the tax rules that apply to charitable gifts will be coming into effect in the near future. Some of the new rules take effect in 2016, and others will apply beginning…
Read MoreTHE EDITORS’ CORNER Michelle Black and Sean Kelly Trick, Treat or … Taunt? Workplace Bullying and Harassment Fall has arrived! The leaves are changing colours, families are stockpiling Halloween candy (some of which will actually last long…
Read MoreBy Jennifer Taylor – Research Lawyer With the federal election just days away, voting is on Canadians’ minds. This will be the first election conducted in accordance with the Fair Elections Act, SC 2014, c 12 [“FEA”] which…
Read MoreBy Jennifer Taylor Introduction There is now a Nova Scotia decision on the interplay between the provincial Builders’ Lien Act and the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”) in the interesting context of trusts. In Re Kel-Greg Homes Inc, Justice Rosinski…
Read More