Successful Holiday Parties
Successful Holiday Parties
What To Do & Not To Do
Dawn Pomaybo
First & foremost, remember this isn’t Vegas…What goes on in Vegas may stay if Vegas but it certainly won’t at your holiday party!
‘Tis the season, holiday cheer and all of the other fixins’ are the perfect recipe for sexual harassment, violations of your drug/alcohol policy and many other possible areas of liability for you.
If you are going to host a holiday party for your employees, try to follow this simple checklist:
1. Ask employees to bring family members—it may avoid some illicit behavior.
2. Remind everyone that your drug & alcohol policy, sexual harassment policy, violence in the workplace policies, etc. still apply at this event.
3. Have taxi services ready & waiting for those that imbibe too much!
4. Or—better yet, have an alcohol-free party!
5. At the very least, give them the choice, offer non-alcoholic beverages as an alternative.
6. Absolutely, stop serving alcohol before the party officially ends.
7. Designate people at the party to be the “go-to” person if an issue should arise.
8. Remind managers that they are responsible for enforcing all company policies and that the holiday party does not get them off the hook for their behavior either.
9. Serve foods that are rich in starch and protein which stay in the stomach longer and slow down the absorption of alcohol. (stay away from salty, greasy or sweet foods)
10. Reinvent the party concept: consider an indoor carnival, amusement park or volunteer activity.
Have a safe & happy holiday season to you and yours!
