Social Media Policy Essentials for Lenders and Brokers
Office Party Hangover Feb 2012
1. employmentlaw
At this time of year
employment lawyers
are often busy trying
to cure legal hangovers
caused at the office
Christmas party. Paul
Whitfield looks at some
of the common causes
and cures…
Office party hangover
Sexual Harassment
Without doubt this is the most common tribunals have also found employers partially aware of at least one case this Christmas
employment tribunal claim brought following to blame for the misconduct of their own where an employee’s tweets from the office
office parties. The combination of alcohol employees when they have provided a free party have led to their dismissal for gross
and a more relaxed environment can lead bar and encouraged excessive drinking. misconduct.
to inappropriate comments and behaviour.
We have also dealt with claims arising out Good practice would be to always have non- This is a very difficult area to police and
of inappropriate secret Santa gifts. alcoholic drinks available and to have at least again may be worth covering in either a
one manager present at the party to ensure social media or social events policy.
employers will normally be liable for the no-one overindulges to excess. Fox Whitfield is regulated by the Solicitors regulation
conduct of their employees during an office employers should also consider providing authority - roll number 524972
party. This also applies to harassment on transportation to and from the venue or
the grounds of age, religion, disability, race at least provide taxi firm numbers to avoid
and sexual orientation. the risk of any employees driving under the
influence of alcohol.
Prevention is better than cure. Without being
a humbug, it is worth reminding employees If the party is a midweek party then it would
in advance of an office party what sort of also be worthwhile reminding employees
conduct is acceptable. Many employers that they are required to work the following
have a ‘social events policy’ setting out day unless booked as holiday.
acceptable behaviour at such events.
Social Media
Alcohol everybody these days has a camera or video
The safest but also the most unrealistic camera on their mobile phone. Smartphones
policy would be to ban alcohol. mean employees can take photographs or
realistically, employers should be aware video footage at an office party and have
of the risks involved in providing alcohol to it uploaded to websites such as Facebook
their employees, and should consider limiting or youTube within minutes. This combined
Paul Whitfield
the amount of free drinks. There have been with alcohol can be a dangerous cocktail. a
can be contacted on 0161 283 1276 or
cases in the past where an employer was number of employment tribunal claims have
paulw@foxwhitfield.com
found liable for facilitating the supply of centred around unflattering pictures and
alcohol to underage employees. employment videos and associated comments. We are
January/February 2012 l 1
2. The key, as with many things, is to bear in
mind the risks associated with such events
at the planning stage, and if necessary have a
policy in place and remind employees of that
policy in advance.
The team at Fox Whitfield have considerable
experience in dealing with these sorts of
hangovers but can also help you plan and
draft any necessary policies.