Tis the season to be jolly…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and no doubt the invites for Christmas parties are already in your inbox. It’s time to deck the halls and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, but a Christmas party with all your work colleagues is not just your average party. When organizing Christmas parties’, businesses should be mindful that they may be held accountable for any employee who turns into a mischievous elf by getting a little too jolly, behaving inappropriately, or for causing damage of any kind. CaymanHR has considered five top tips to prevent anyone being put on the proverbial ‘naughty list’ and to keep you laughing all the way…
Lead by example
Senior staff are key at all work events, because the way that they conduct themselves (particularly when the mulled wine is flowing) sets the example to more junior members of the team. If employees see their senior colleagues drinking multiple different beverages at the speed of Santa’s sleigh, they may consider it to beacceptable behavior and decide to join in …or even go a step further. Taking a moment to remind your senior staff that they are expected to lead by example, may save you a headache later on (literally!)
Make a list…and check it twice!
Whilst this may seem obvious, it is important when organizing your event that you remember to invite all employees. This includes those who may be on long term absence or maternity/paternity leave, perhaps recent retirees and even your interns. It may be that they are unable to attend, but extending the invitation can prevent them feeling aggrieved or lonely…and cold this Christmas.
Expectation is key
For some employees the excitement of a Christmas party can be too much so sharing both what employees can expect, and also what is expected of them, is a great way to prevent any ‘frostiness’ the next day! Having a pre-planned schedule that allows for acknowledgments, awards, celebrations and a thank you for the years’ efforts, will save you from a red face (or nose) later. You may also wish to share a gentlereminder, that whilst we're all for being as Jolly as Old Saint Nicholas, you want everyone to wake up with holiday cheer, not holiday regret. Although it's a festive occasion, it's still a company event so appropriate to encourage everyone to maintain the same level of professionalism they would during regular work hours.
Diversity
In addition to checking your guest list it is important to consider dietary restrictions, provide a nice ‘mocktail’ option for the designated drivers, and music that everyone will want to jingle their bells to! Providing a dress code also helps to ensure that everyone is comfortable – baby it’s definitely ‘not’ cold outside in Cayman!
Merry Christmas and to all a goodnight…
In almost every business, there are those that like to ‘play hard’, a little more and a little longer than others – so how do you wrap up the evening? The starting point is to send a clear communication in advance about the time the party will conclude and then be sure to actually close out the tab at that time. Providing transport so staff can have themselves a merry little Christmas party, and still make it safely home, is another great way to bring the evening to an end.
We hope the above tips prove helpful as Christmas party season approaches and if not CaymanHR are here to help if there has been too much rocking around the Christmas tree. After all, all we want for Christmas is…YOU to have fun!