Managing behaviour at work functions
It is imperative for employers and business leaders to safeguard the business by setting and maintaining behaviour standards whilst role modelling responsible leadership and professional management. Workplace-related social events can be high-risk environments as sometimes leaders who want to become part of the team behave as an employee rather than a leader and let go of their sense of responsibility.
End of Year parties are deemed work-related functions and therefore there is some legislation that will apply to these events such as:
Occupational Safety and Health legislation;
Anti-discrimination legislation, including provision for dealing with sexual and racial harassment (including the new Respect@Work amendments); and
Criminal code, including assault either of a physical or verbal nature.
As with the normal workplace, employers have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure employees’ safety and health and to provide an environment free from harassment and discrimination.
Certain inappropriate behaviour at work functions, much of which can be attributed to the "good cheer" which often accompanies these events, can lead to employers being held vicariously liable. Such behaviour includes things like unwelcome touching and kissing, derogatory humour in Christmas skits, inappropriate gifts and "party tricks".
It also needs to be considered, where a business leader chooses to freely indulge with their employees in a far less controlled way, the ability of the business leader to retain credibility, both short and long term, and the ability to act with authority, when required, is eroded substantially.
Some quick tips for mitigating risk around your workplace function:
Establish guidelines for behaviour and communicate them to all attendees well beforehand. If you are not sure about setting standards, seek advice from HRAnywhere.
Make it clear that this is a workplace event and establish a clear start and end time.
Attend the event and role model the expected behaviour – you are reinforcing the standards previously advised to your people.
Be prepared to act and manage unacceptable behaviours – regrettably, you may need to act when people deviate from your advised standards, especially if they overindulge in the consumption of alcohol.
Be there the whole time and close the event at the time you advised – it allows you and others to attempt to distance yourself from any after-parties that are not directly company sponsored and concludes the ‘workplace’ event.
Have fun but in a safe and controlled environment!