Getting drunk at the office Christmas party can be an HR nightmare if it leads to bad behaviour - and a lawyer warns employment laws can still be enforced outside working hours

David Brent's office could be described as fitting into the old-fashioned Toylorist method of design (Credit: BBC)

The festive tunes are bellowing out, drinks are flowing and conversations between colleagues become rather less formal than they are in the office. The office Christmas party is a unique event in the British work calendar – but can employees be sacked for getting too drunk?

In some cases, it can present greater HR challenges than the rest of the year until that point as excess alcohol consumption results in a lack of inhibition.

Companies must remember that employment laws are applicable even where an event takes place outside the workplace and working hours.

Laura Kearsley, partner and solicitor in the employment team at East Midlands-based law firm Nelsons, says this means an employer can take disciplinary action against employees who display bad behaviour during or after a Christmas party as the conduct is likely to fall within the “course of employment”.

Not only this, but employers can also be held to be vicariously liable for the actions of their employees.

Laura Kearsley, drunk at the office Christmas party
Laura Kearsley, partner and solicitor in the employment team at East Midlands-based law firm Nelsons,

“With the festive season now in full swing, it is more important than ever for employers to ensure their policies and procedures relating to work-related social events, disciplinary proceedings and equality of treatment are up-to-date, and to remind employees of the need to familiarise themselves and comply with these,” says Ms Kearsley.

“In order to protect themselves from being the subject of a vast array of potential claims, employers should be wary of the risks of harassment, misconduct, absenteeism, religious discrimination and unfair dismissal inherent during the Christmas festivities.”

Here, she explains how employers can protect themselves against potential HR disasters from people getting too drunk at the Christmas party.

 

What problems can arise from staff getting drunk at the office Christmas party?

There are a number of potential liabilities for employers and their responsibilities during the festive season:

Behaviour outside of working hours

Social events away from the office involving employees either immediately after work or during an organised party fall within the remit of “course of employment”.

Because of this, employers are likely to be vicariously liable for unacceptable behaviour, such as acts of sexual harassment.

Other cases have illustrated the importance of monitoring and controlling the alcohol consumption and behaviour of employees.

An employer who provided an unlimited free bar at an office party was held to have unfairly dismissed three employees for their resulting abusive and violent drunken behaviour.

Christmas drinks, drunk at the office Christmas party

 

Absence monitoring

Another issue that may arise during the Christmas period is that of unauthorised absences from work.

Employers must make their policies and procedures regarding taking holiday and leave readily available to employees and must ensure that employees are aware of the notice periods required to be given.

Where an employee takes unapproved leave, the employer must be careful not to impose a disproportionate sanction or they may risk being found to have unfairly dismissed the employee.

In the event that an employee turns up late for work or does not turn up at all after an office Christmas party or social event, an employer is entitled to make the appropriate deductions from their wages provided there is provision for this in the employee’s contract of employment.

Alternatively, the employee could be subjected to disciplinary action. Again, the employer must ensure their disciplinary policy is strictly adhered to and employees are aware that disciplinary action will be a consequence of lateness or absence.

 

Loose talk

Christmas parties and work social events may also lead to inevitable workplace gossip. Employers may consider making it clear to employees that workplace gossip is likely to cause harm to another and may result in disciplinary action being taken.

drunk at the office Christmas party

Discussing work-related matters – such as promotion or remuneration – at an office social event can also be dangerous.

For example, a manager telling an employee they would be put on the same salary as another colleague within a period of two years could be taken as creating legally binding commitments where intention to do so is found.

What steps can employers take to protect themselves?

There are a number of practical steps employers should follow to avoid HR challenges:

  • Do not insist that all staff attend the office Christmas party. Christmas is a Christian holiday, so do not pressure someone to attend if they do not want to on religious grounds. Be supportive and cater for those whose religious festivals and holidays fall at different times of the year
  • Ensure the event is as inclusive as possible and caters for those who do not drink alcohol or eat certain foods
  • Make it clear to employees what constitutes unacceptable behaviour and the consequences of such misbehaviour. Employees must be aware of boundaries
  • Ensure employees are aware what is expected of them regarding absence from work following the event
  • Avoid having conversations with employees about performance, salary or career prospects while at the event. It has been known for promises made to an employee while under the influence of alcohol to be upheld by tribunals, even when the employer did not intend for this to be the case
  • Appoint designated staff members to monitor the activities of staff during the course of the event to ensure the festivities do not get out of hand.

drunk at the office Christmas party

Staying professional at the office Christmas party

While Christmas and other office social events are a great method of encouragement, motivation and reward for employees for their hard work during working hours, employers must remain mindful and perceptive to the above and act sensibly and proportionately if and when issues do arise.