Prioritise a Cautious Attitude

As festive functions approach, employers should be cautious about the risk of employee misconduct in relaxed settings. Clear behaviour expectations, mobile phone and social media rules, responsible alcohol service, and safe transport planning can all help reduce risk and support a safer end-of-year event.

As we approach the festive season, it is often a time for celebration and a chance for employees and employers to socialise in relaxed environments. It is often seen as an opportunity to build on existing working relationships and/or develop new ones. However, festive celebrations can unfortunately cause a rise in employee misconduct for a myriad of reasons, with alcohol often a main instigator. As a result, employers who hold celebratory functions should be cautious of the possible ramifications and take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of inappropriate behaviour.

How can you keep your business safe?

To mitigate the risk of employee misconduct at end-of-year events, employees should be reminded in advance of the applicable workplace code of conduct and grievance procedure. Proactively reminding employees of their obligations may serve as a deterrent to any behaviour that could breach the policies and be considered misconduct.

In addition, with the widespread use of mobile phones these days, moments are often captured on mobile phones and this unfortunately may include moments constituting inappropriate behaviour. This can pose a risk to both the business's reputation and also to the implicated employee. Having established policies that govern the appropriate use of mobile phones and sharing of pictures and information which are related to the business will help ensure that employees are aware of their obligations and what work-related content (or information obtained during work-related events) can be shared.

Employers should also remain mindful that the consumption of alcohol during festive celebrations can often lead to poor choices and/or behaviour, resulting in inappropriate behaviour taking place. Employers should therefore, to the reasonable extent possible, ensure the responsible service of alcohol at work-related events. Depending on the nature and circumstances of these events, employers may also have to give consideration to the health and safety of employees travelling to and from work-related events. This could mean having established transport plans for the end of the event which are communicated to employees.

What steps can you take to mitigate misconduct?

It is an unfortunate reality for business owners and people & culture teams that end-of-year functions, which are meant to be a time for celebrating and relaxing, are plagued by inappropriate conduct or unfortunate incidents taking place. Despite this unfortunate reality, organisations can take proactive steps to mitigate the chance of such inappropriate behaviour taking place. This can be done through the following means:

1. Making clear the standard of expected behaviour by individuals attending the event.
2. Consider what risks may exist to the health and safety of employees attending the event and take steps to mitigate these risks, e.g. ensure the responsible service of alcohol (if possible) and that individuals have a safe trip home if the event finishes late at night.
3. Have policies that have been previously communicated to employees which govern behaviour and use of mobile phones and social media (as examples).
4. Have established mechanisms for employees to report instances of misconduct at these events and ensure that those individuals who do speak and raise issues feel supported.

Key takeaways

• Festive functions can create a higher risk of misconduct because employees are socialising in more relaxed settings.
• Clear reminders about workplace codes of conduct and grievance procedures can help set expectations before the event.
• Mobile phone, picture-sharing, and social media rules should be clear before work-related celebrations take place.
• Responsible alcohol service and transport planning can reduce the risk of unsafe behaviour and support employee safety.

FAQ

Why should employers be cautious at festive functions?

Festive celebrations can unfortunately cause a rise in employee misconduct. Alcohol is often a main instigator, so employers should take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of inappropriate behaviour.

What should employees be reminded of before the event?

Employees should be reminded in advance of the applicable workplace code of conduct and grievance procedure. That reminder can help deter behaviour that may breach workplace policies.

What practical steps help reduce the risk of misconduct?

Clear expectations, policies about mobile phones and social media, responsible alcohol service, safe transport plans, and support for reporting misconduct all help reduce the risk.