Harassment-Free Holiday

In this age of tough sexual harassment and employment discrimination laws, Corpedia.com gives its annual tips to keep the lawsuit “Grinch” from stealing your company party’s holiday cheer.

1. Keep Santa in line.
   Don’t allow your employees to sit on his lap. The local Rent-a-Santa probably doesn’t conduct background checks.


2. Watch the holiday “Cheers.”
   Keep a close eye on alcohol consumption and inebriated employees. If necessary, arrange for transportation. The price for cab fares is far better than the cost of a negligence lawsuit due to a drunk-driving employee.


3. Assign designated “party watchers.”
   Make sure they’re sticklers (like those accounting types) who will be strict on excessive drinking or other inappropriate behavior.


4. Don’t ignore feisty holiday spirit.
   Overly romantic displays of affections can be a serious matter.


5. Watch the reindeer games.
   Discourage activities that invite touching or personal revelations. This includes the all-time party favorite “The Rumba Line.”


6. Encourage employees to bring their significant others.
   Their presence discourages intra-office flirting and almost always ensures your workers are good little boys and girls.


7. Monitor any gift giving.
   Discourage the exchange of offensive or inappropriate gifts that have sexual or romantic overtones.


8. Start and end the party early.
   This can keep “God rest ye merry gentlemen” from becoming “Bob, arrest these merry gentlemen!”


9. Lock up the copy machine.
   Blotchy copying problems may be the least of your worries if daring employees get their hands on it.

SOURCE: Corpedia, Mesa, AZ, December 16, 1999.

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