HR professionals around the country are bracing for the silly season in the knowledge that someone, somewhere, having sloshed back too much of something, will be in HR hot water come early January — and even be facing the loss of their job.
Or, if they’re a boss and allow their company’s annual festive knees-up descend into something that would make even Caligula recoil, be preparing for a possible employment tribunal.
Not that people even need to get wrecked to wreck their careers — or their company’s finances.
Experts say one misjudged Secret Santa gift opened by the wrong person can work wonders on its own, thank you very much.
Kate Underwood, Founder at Southampton-based Kate Underwood HR and Training, warned business owners that Secret Santas and other gifts lavished at Christmas parties have a knack of going off the rails. Fast.
She said: “Working in HR, in January the Secret Santa stories come in thick and fast. Some are harmless, some less so. The Secret Santa has become an HR hand grenade.”
Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist at Coventry-based Good Thinking Psychology, shared one such example.
She said: “Someone in an old workplace once bought all the women in the office a single rose. It looked sweet until we realised it wasn’t a fake flower at all, but a rolled-up pair of red lace crotchless knickers. Awks……..”
Underwood continued: “When it comes to Secret Santas, it’s crucial that business owners set expectations and never assume that everyone in the office knows what “keep it low key” means when it comes to five pound gifts. Because they really, really don’t. And that fiver can suddenly cost an employer £5k in legal or HR fees.
“This is exactly why we always suggest setting a few clear Secret Santa rules. Keep the budget sensible, avoid anything too personal and, if anything needs a warning label or explanation, maybe — actually definitely — skip it.
“A few safe but still fun ideas I’ve seen work well are things like mini plants with daft names, hot chocolate kits, or something mildly geeky like a desktop puzzle. Small, useful and no one ends up offended. Secret Santa should be fun, not a nightmare start to the New Year.”
Sophie Whitbread, an Employment Lawyer at Penningtons Manches Cooper, shared her advice to business owners ahead of the annual Christmas bash: “Remind your staff that they are still “at work” when they are partying, to try to avoid a myriad of possible employment issues that could result from the office party.
“That means they could disciplined for sexual harassment or bringing the company into disrepute, to give just two examples of what might come of too much alcohol and reduced inhibitions.”
To ensure employers and staff get through the silly season with no serious ramifications, Underwood has shared her five top tips. Read them, digest them and then stick to them as if your job or company’s finances and reputation depended on it. Because they may well just.
Kate’s 5 Christmas Party tips for business owners and managers
- You’re still responsible even in a Christmas jumper — If you’re organising the party, it’s still your event. That means if someone behaves badly, gets hurt, or feels uncomfortable, you’re in the frame. Set the tone, and make sure everyone knows it’s still a work function – just with mince pies.
- Give a gentle heads-up beforehand — Nothing heavy. Just a friendly message that says: have fun, look after each other, and keep it respectful. No one wants to be the reason for awkward conversations next week.
- No mistletoe, no exceptions — It’s not festive, it’s a risk. There’s no need to invite confusion or cross any lines. Leave the mistletoe in the Christmas films.
- Choose the right venue and sort travel home — Pick somewhere that feels safe, professional and inclusive. Bonus points if it’s easy to get to and from even better if you can help with taxi plans or arrange a lift share. Nobody needs to be stranded in tinsel at midnight.
- Managers set the standard — Whether you’re the business owner or just the one organising the drinks, how you behave matters. Don’t overshare, don’t overdrink, and definitely don’t try to deliver a motivational speech after a few too many.
Kate’s 5 Christmas Party tips for staff
- Pace yourself — It might be free, but that doesn’t mean it’s a drinking competition. You don’t want to be the story that gets retold every year. Have a good time – just don’t overdo it.
- Save the work chat for the office — The party isn’t the time to tell your boss what’s wrong with the company or how much you hate Monday meetings. Keep it light and social.
- Dress for the occasion — A bit of sparkle? Great. Something that belongs in a nightclub? Maybe not. Think ‘fun Christmas do’ not ‘out-out’.
- Don’t snog anyone you work with — It might seem like a good idea after two cocktails and a slow song, but it’s rarely worth it. At best it’s awkward, at worst it’s a formal complaint waiting to happen.
- Know when to leave — If your manager, team lead or the most sensible person in the room has called it a night, it’s probably your cue too. Don’t wait until things turn messy.
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
