Christmas is right around the corner, and if you’re planning to throw a festive party for your staff, you should be aware of the risks associated with a company holiday party.
Liquor liability is a major risk at a company holiday party.
Serving liquor at any type of party always comes with a liability, but when it’s at your business, it becomes more of a risk. In fact, social host liability exposes you to a huge risk if someone becomes injured or causes damage to your business property as a result of you serving them alcohol. Additionally, if an employee drives home drunk and causes an accident, your business could face a lawsuit for the damages caused by their carelessness.
If you plan to serve alcohol at your company holiday party, do so wisely.
Your staff is a major risk to your business at a company holiday party.
While harassment, bullying, or violence should never be tolerated in a workspace (in fact it’s against the law), you may not be able to control what your employees say or do while at a company holiday party. If someone feels threatened, unsafe, or harassed by another staff member, they have a right to sue for inappropriate behavior at a company holiday party.
To reduce your risk and protect yourself during a potential lawsuit, make sure you have an Employment Practices Liability Insurance policy in place.
What to do before your company holiday party starts.
You can still have a festive holiday celebration with your staff, but it’s important to take some precautions to reduce your liability.
- Remind employees to be responsible and drink in moderation.
- Take into account underage guests like interns or part-time staff, if they’re underage and consuming alcohol at your business, you’ll face serious consequences.
- Don’t have an open bar, this can cause your staff to over drink.
- Provide alternatives to alcohol such as, water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks.
- Provide food or snacks at your party, this can help employees to sober up.
- Offer free ride share or taxi rides for employees who are too intoxicated to drive home safely.
- Review your insurance with one of our licensed insurance agents.
- Create a safe environment- make sure icy walkways or exposed electrical cords are taken care of so your employees don’t slip and fall.
Planning a company holiday party can be dangerous if you don’t have the right protection in place, to learn more about how our insurance agency can protect your commercial business, click the button below.
