Tip 1: Choose your venue carefully
Look out for balconies, stairs and architectural trip hazards. Even in an external venue, you have a legal obligation to keep your staff safe.
Tip 2: Moderate alcohol consumption
Most Christmas parties serve alcohol. It’s part of our Aussie culture. To prevent problems due to excessive alcohol consumption, follow these guidelines:
- If you are at a venue, enquire about their Responsible Service of alcohol protocols
- If you are holding the function at your workplace or a public space like a park, place strict limits on the amount of alcohol that’s available.
- Limit the duration of your Christmas function as this will also limit drinking time.
- Ensure there are plenty of soft drink options available. A good ratio is 50/50 alcohol and soft drinks.
- Try to include activities such as dancing or ball games. They are highly effective at limiting alcohol consumption during an event.
- Beware! Your liability for worker safety will be extended beyond the event if you arrange or pay for drinks to be served after the function has finished.
Tip 3: Don’t forget to provide food
Again, it doesn’t matter whether you are holding your Christmas party at a venue or somewhere else, you must serve food if you are planning to offer alcohol. For short parties, canapés may be sufficient but for events that are 2+ hours long, a meal should be provided.
Tip 4: Remind your team that a work function is like being at work
This information should be rolled out now with further education regularly provided up to the day of the event to explain how each member of staff is expected to behave.
Tip 5. Ensure you have your COVID protocols in place.
Even though the government has relaxed the rules around COVID, you still have a duty of care under WHS to keep your staff safe. That includes safety from contracting serious illness like a COVID infection. Discover more information on COVID safe Christmas parties here.
Don’t risk a safety hangover in 2023
Every year, we have business owners come to us for help to solve an issue that began at the work Christmas party. Yet, with a bit of planning and education, you can avoid hangovers literally and figuratively.
To have a fun, safe and stress free business Christmas party, call the End2end Business Solutions team NOW on 02 8977 4002.