SmallBizResource Blog -- Networking & Communications

Don't Be So Jolly About That Office Party

Posted by Judy Mottl Monday, Dec 3, 2007, 01:40 PM ET

I know you probably think the holiday office party is a good thing--a morale booster, a time to have fun and show appreciation for your employees. It's also prime time for disaster and you might want to reconsider how to celebrate the season in the office.

Why? Well there's the propensity for drinking which leads to all sorts of nasty happenings...from inappropriate behavior to legal liability.

None which ever prove jolly for a company. An off-the-cuff remark said brazenly thanks to alcohol could draw a sexual harrassment charge. Office romances tend to bloom with too much punch, making working difficult for those involved and even those not involved well after the New Year comes and goes.

Just one small incident can spell doom to a small business as successful SMBs are usually dependent on a core of people who work well together. A few hours of fun could undo years of hard work and good management.

As one expert is quoted in Newsday on this issue:

"That makes you, as the employer, potentially on the hook for any mishaps or hanky-panky," says Beth Milito, senior executive counsel with the National Federation of Independent Business Legal Foundation in Washington, D.C.

So what to do? Keep booze out of it or at least limit it using tickets and bring in a professional server. Besides making sure no one drives home drunk, keep it short and sweet--no need for a five- hour festive occasion.

The best way to avoid any issues and headaches is to do something different -- take your employees to lunch, or use the money saved on party to give them a small boost in bonus or holiday pay. Give a gift card that can be used for those last minute holiday expenses everyone faces the week of the holiday.

Check out what some companies do in Toronto in lieu of an office party event. All could be done anywhere in the US and some are great options for SMBS as they feature a trip offsite.

Sure, a few might grumble you're being a Grinch not doing a party. But most people, I suspect, will secretly thank you. After all what employee will ever stand up against having an office party if that's what the boss wants right? I think you might be a bit surprised at the response to doing something different this year.

If you do -- write me and tell me and I'll share here next week.

Networking & Communications