Christmas cheer will be in short supply this season if findings from employment law firm, Peninsula are anything to go by.
In their recent poll eight in ten employers said they wouldn’t be organising a festive bash for workers. Booze fuelled antics are putting 73% of respondents off with the majority saying that fights, arguments and one night stands were the main reasons for holding back on hosting a party.
Only 14% cited party costs as the key reason for abstaining this year while just 9% said it was too much hassle.
Seventy-six per cent felt it ‘isn’t necessary’ to throw a party. A figure which contrasts with the 69% of employees who feel the Christmas Party is important to boosting employee motivation and morale despite 67% admitting to having had a bad experience in the past.
Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula commented:
“Office parties have always traditionally been an easy time for workers to enjoy their time in the workplace without having to deal with the strain of work. It has been a time where workers can relax in their office with a few drinks and unwind before the Christmas period. What employers are now finding is that employees are now causing employers headaches with their drunken antics and office party shenanigans.”
Done warns that employers can be left exposed to claims for injury or discriminatory behaviour – situations often fuelled by alcohol.
“This may sound a bit extreme but we all know that when someone has one too many drinks anything can happen. There have been cases in the press in recent times of sexual discrimination or simply offensive and loutish behaviour.”
Nearly 4000 employers and employees were surveyed.
The results contrast with findings from IRS Employment Review which shows that 72% of employers plan to throw a Christmas party. See the full story below.
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