Safely Managing the Holiday Season

Safety and Liability Issues Safety and liability issues are more visible at this time of the year. What can you do, and what should you do, to ensure that all your employees - and your company - make it through the holidays safely.

Company Liability

You already know that your company can be held liable for injuries that occur on your property or at your functions. The company can also be liable if an employee causes harm to another employee or anyone else while engaged in company business.

These liabilities exist all year long. You take steps to prevent them and to limit the company's liability and exposure if they happen. So these hazards are not unique to the holiday season. They are, perhaps, simply more obvious.

Should You Cancel the Party?

Short of canceling the annual holiday party, what can you do about these dangers? In addition to the points made in the links above, here are two more suggestions I support.

Seems like we all drink more at an open bar than when we have to pay for drinks. Many law enforcement agencies and MADD urge cash bars at parties. While charging for drinks may be not be popular among your employees or your guests, it could save their lives.

You will seem less like a Scrooge if you announce the action ahead of time and explain why. Replace the typical bar with seasonal (non-alcoholic) drinks like egg nog and hot cider. After all it's the spirit that counts - not the spirits.

Here's another idea. Make it more of a family affair. Include the children of your employees in the holiday party. It will help to keep behavior in check and cut down on drinking. Besides, your employees may appreciate not having to find and pay for a sitter. Think of it as a Christmas-time extension of your company's family-friendly personnel policies.