Keeping things merry

The office Christmas party can be an excellent booster for morale. It offers an opportunity to dress up, maybe enjoy a nice meal and even socialise with a few drinks. It can be a chance to let off steam and socialise with the rest of the team. They are usually fun and full of festive cheer, but when things go wrong they can be the source of all sorts of problems, such as sexual discrimination, post-party absenteeism, arguments and brawls. So, how can you ensure these issues are avoided and the Christmas bash remains a positive experience.

Inclusive

All of the team should be invited to the Christmas party, even those who are on maternity/paternity or adoption leave and sick leave. It should not be compulsory to attend, and caution should be taken not to pressurise those of non-Christian faiths. It is also important to ensure that there is a non-alcoholic drinks available, and if the party involves food, then a vegetarian option should be made available.