Imagine the scene. You’re carrying in the plate of Pigs in Blankets for the office Christmas buffet and before you know it you’ve tripped over some equipment wire, sending the plates flying into the elegantly stacked pyramid of champagne glasses …. Then the band you’ve hired walks in, slips on the bubbles and broken glass, resulting in two hospital visits, a broken leg and a lawsuit and worst of all a waste of Pigs in Blankets…… Ok, so this may be on the extreme side, but it could happen, and it’s best to be prepared. In this post, we look at things that can go wrong during office Christmas parties, and how having the right insurance in place can keep you protected.
One of the first signs that Christmas is coming is the decoration that you hang in the office, whether it’s the tinsel around the computer screens, the baubles and lights on the tree and/or the cards that you’ve all brought in that are doubling as art. When it’s a party, the decorations are likely to multiply like rabbits, and it’s important to ensure that they don’t contravene any Health and Safety guidelines otherwise invalidating your public or employer liability insurance.
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We recommend:
· Not placing decorations around any light fittings as this could be a fire hazard.
· Hide all Christmas light wires so as not to constitute a trip hazard.
· Ensure all electrical decorations are CE approved.
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· Ensure all fire exits are easy to find and not blocked off by decorations or furniture that has been moved to make space.
Everyone from an employee, to the caterer, to the guests and entertainment could hurt themselves, so you need to be very careful.
If you’re planning on having a fireworks display, it’s also your responsibility to ensure the health and safety of everyone in attendance. Accidental bodily injury, loss or damage to property or a nearby building will result in your business paying compensation and it’s best that you check that your insurance policy covers such events.
We all get a little drunk at the Christmas do, but when in our drunken state we say or do things that will land us all in trouble, the aftermath can be far worse. A flirtatious conversation, inappropriate touching or comments about particular body parts could result in a sexual harassment claim. Similarly, making remarks about a colleague’s beliefs, religion, race, sexual orientation or disability could lead to a harassment case under our anti-discrimination laws. Even if the comment or action was not meant to be offensive, it could still be seen as harassment, potentially resulting in dismissal for gross misconduct.
Other comments/actions to avoid:
· Insulting the caterers, bar staff and entertainment.
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· Heated arguments and punch ups.
· Not leaving the party following instructions from a boss or co-worker.
· Using the company’s account for a taxi home afterwards, unless otherwise authorised to do so.
We recommend making this clear to your employees before the party and checking that your insurance covers entity employment practice liability for your more senior members of staff.
Another issue with being drunk or otherwise entertained is that mistakes happen, such as doors being left unlocked after everyone has gone home/moved the party elsewhere. You only want Santa coming down the chimney, so if you got burgled, you could be liable, especially if there were keypads and locks in place that you should have used to prevent such actions. Invaliding policies such as contents insurance, business interruption and equipment breakdown, you could suffer a serious loss to profits. Therefore, it’s imperative you check that your policy covers this.
If you do host part or all of the party at another venue, remember to never assume anything. Ensure the venue owner has suitable cover, and also that your policy covers you for off-site, work-related events.
An office Christmas party is a great time to reward everyone’s hard work and have some fun. The best way to do so is to be organised and have peace of mind in case anything does go wrong. We recommend checking your insurance policy before holding a party or event, and if you find you do need extra cover, then speak to us today about our options. We offer comprehensive cover for all types of events, allowing you to focus on having a great time with your colleagues.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN
