Mistletoe and wine, beer, spirits and a few crackers...

It seemed like summer only ended yesterday, yet today I was choosing what to have for dinner at the office Xmas party.

That age-old dilemma; should I go for turkey? After all it is Christmas... but I will be having loads of it soon and its not really as good as beef... unless the beef is thin and dry... what about the veggie option? I could pretend I am really healthy and mindful about what I eat... then again, I am not going to remember what I ordered when it comes to the actual meal so it hardly matters what I choose now!

And what to drink? Or, rather; how much....?

I will get a call in late December and again in early January to be told by a client about an employee who over-did it at their Christmas party. It happens without fail every year. One year there was a slapped face. Another year there was a finger in the chest and some honest opinions shared at full volume. Then there was the allegation of sexual harassment. All of them drunken, none of them likely to have happened but for the party or the 'lubrication'.

All of them were 'at work' too even though they were off-site and out-of-hours, which resulted in P45s in each case and one or two, a settlement agreement with a promise not to sue.

I also get calls around about this time of year asking how to de-risk the event. Most opt for a gentle reminder to staff that they will be at work at the party (even if the boss is half collapsed at the bar reminiscing about the good old days). Others make it very clear about the standards expected and the consequences of a breach.

I just asked an AI tool what we could say to our staff at Thompson Smith and Puxon Solicitors . It replied:

T'was the night of the work do, and all through the firm, there was lots of excitement - just like at half-term

The wine flowed like rivers, the spirits were high, in hopes that tomorrow, no one would ask why.

When out from HR came a memo quite grand; 'Remember, dear colleagues, to firmly withstand! Too much of the booze can lead you astray (and if you are silly it will ruin your day).'

So heed old St. Nick, as he rides out of sight, drink responsibly, folks- and to all, a good night!

I thought that was rather good. I will suggest it to HR and see what they say.

I lead the employment team at TSP. My colleagues and I give commercial legal advice to employers of all sizes in all sectors. I will be happy to hear from you if I can be of any assistance.