Planning a safe and fun holiday party this season

The holiday season is fast approaching. Unlike the previous few years when the pandemic made holiday gatherings challenging, employees and employers alike are excited and eagerly awaiting their company holiday parties. The merriment, the food, the good times, and the opportunity to let loose are just some of the reasons that people look forward to their holiday work parties. However, that feeling of joy and celebration can quickly be marred if you don’t plan for a safe celebration. 

What Could Go Wrong?
 
There’s a saying that goes, “Fail to plan, plan to fail.” This certainly applies to holiday parties. It’s best to consider all of the things that could go wrong, and then come up with a plan to mitigate each risk and hazard. It’s better to have a plan that you don’t use than to find yourself in a situation with no plan at all.

In this article, we highlight a few key points:

• Impairment
• Misconduct
• Tips for a safe and happy holiday party!

When it comes time to party, the marker of a successful night is that everyone had a great time, enjoyed some great food, and made it home safely when it was all over. 

Impairment

It’s a party, so there will likely be drinking. However, as an employer, you must consider risks that may arise from employees consuming alcohol at your event. Unless you take precautions, you may find yourself at significant risk of liability. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2006 that as a “general rule,” a social host does not owe a duty of care to a person injured by a guest who has consumed alcohol unless the host’s conduct implicates the host in the creation or exacerbation of the risk. How can you ensure that you remain free of liability?
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• If you choose to serve alcohol, consider a cash bar vs. an open bar
• Advise all employees to be responsible while consuming alcohol
• Ensure that you supervise employee consumption throughout the event
• Be ready and willing to provide and pay for safe transportation

In addition to the potential for liability, impairment can also lead to poor choices and inappropriate behaviours – things employees may not have done sober. While the risk here can range from embarrassment to criminal, employers must have a plan for employees who partake in the merriment a bit too much. 

Misconduct

​Sometimes, if alcohol consumption and staff behaviour aren’t supervised closely, things may get out of hand and there may be some inappropriate behaviours. It is important to ensure that you tell the staff before the party starts that the organization will not tolerate any instance of harassing, discriminatory, or violent behaviours, and that your organization’s disciplinary and code of conduct policies still apply to actions taken at the holiday party. 

Learn more about workplace violence and harrassment

Tips for a Safe and Happy Holiday Party

When it comes time to party, the marker of a successful night is that everyone had a great time, enjoyed some great food, and made it home safely when it was all over. How do you make sure that happens?
 

• Avoid having an open bar if possible
• If an open bar is unavoidable, monitor employee consumption closely through the night and ensure that all servers have adequate training
• Train your leadership staff to spot impairment early
• Tell all employees before the party that the code of conduct and progressive discipline policies apply at the holiday party
• Host your holiday party off-site, as their servers are usually trained and certified to safely serve alcohol – make sure you ask if all staff are trained!
• Encourage employees to carpool with designated drivers
• Provide taxi vouchers or pre-paid Uber credits
• Be sure to serve plenty of food, water, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the night
• Ensure all staff training is up to date, including workplace violence and harassment training
• Don’t forget to have fun!

 
Check out the MidSouthWest Training Calendar to see courses coming soon to your area!

Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers a full catalogue of health and safety training. If you need help ensuring that you are holiday-party ready this year, give us a call. We offer consulting services and we’d be happy to review your party plans and policies and procedures to help you make sure that this year’s holiday party is the greatest – and safest! – holiday party yet! You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.

To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated November 5, 2023