Holiday Parties—Avoiding Certain Liabilities

With limited or no holiday celebrations in 2020, employees are looking forward to company parties this holiday season. As parties and celebrations are planned, employers need to consider the following guidelines;

• Make attendance strictly voluntary
  • If attendance is required, hourly employees must be paid for their time spent at the party
  • Depending on the religious nature of the party or celebration, requiring attendance could be considered religious discrimination
• Do not serve alcohol or limit the number of drinks per person
  • Consider serving “mocktails” – recent trends have developed more sophisticated flavors, minus the alcohol
  • Hire a professional bartender that is trained to recognize if an employee or guest has had too much to drink
  • Ask managers to be on the lookout if an employee or guest appears intoxicated and arrange transportation for them. Let employees know that the company will pay for an Uber, Lyft or taxi if needed

• Consider having the holiday party at a place that involves an activity such as bowling, or Escape rooms. Employees can then focus on the activity, instead of drinking.
• Serve food throughout the party; stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.

Happy Holidays!
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