Winter is Coming: 3 Things to Know About Company Parties

Temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling, and summer is slowly slipping away.? While this may mark the end of flip flop weather, it is just the beginning of “company party season.”? Starting with Halloween and rolling through the holiday season, these company-sponsored events range from office costume contests to potluck lunches to all-out holiday bashes.? While these are great opportunities for rewarding employee performance and team building (particularly after the stresses of the Pandemic), these events also carry risk for employers.? Here are three things to consider when planning your upcoming events:

1.? Is It Mandatory??As a general rule, an employer can require employee attendance at a company event.? However, just because a company can, does not necessarily mean that a company should.? Mandatory attendance at a work function, particularly if outside of normal work hours, may have a negative effect on employee morale (which is contrary to the goals of most team building events).? It may also create additional work for the company’s HR staff to take attendance and track the hours “worked” while attending the mandatory function.

If the event is mandatory, employers need to make sure that they are in compliance with all legal pay requirements for hourly employees.? Additionally, employers should have a plan for employees who refuse to attend the mandatory event.? Meaning, is the employer prepared to discipline (or even terminate) the non-attending employee for being insubordinate???

2.? Is There a Dress Code??Whether Halloween costumes in the office or formal party wear at a holiday cocktail party, employers should encourage employees to use common sense in their dress.? Particularly with Halloween costumes in the office, employees should follow PG-rated themes.? While risque costumes may work for a weekend Halloween party amongst friends, these costumes may run afoul of the company’s anti-harassment policy and result in employee complaints.

3.? Open Bar? Whether the event is in the office or off-site, alcohol consumption at company-sponsored events is always a concern.? For example, an overserved employee may be more likely to make inappropriate comments or advances towards another employee in violation of the company’s anti-harassment policy.? And just because the event is outside of work hours, does not alleviate the company’s responsible to enforce its policies (particularly its anti-harassment policy).? Additionally, a company can be liable – as a social host – for any injury or accident resulting from an overserved employee driving home from the event.