Tips to Avoid a Holiday Party Work Comp Hangover

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 | 0

Holiday parties are almost a foregone conclusion, but along with the fun, camaraderie and joviality is a measure of workers' compensation risk that is generally not appreciated.

Though case law goes both was, generally, injuries incurred at the annual holiday party will probably be compensable, even if they occur off premises, and off hours (see for example McCarty v. WCAB (1974) 12 Cal.3d 677, 33 CCC 712).

Nevertheless, not only are company holiday parties a tradition in our society, they provide innumerable benefits, not the least of which is heightened employee morale. Here are some very basic steps to help avoid a Christmas party work comp hangover:

1. If you have a large staff, and are going to have tables, nominate "table captains" to order drinks for guests at the table helps keep an eye on guests to ensure drinking stays in line. Drink limits are certainly an appropriate control to institute as well.

2. Reminding staff of workplace conduct policies is just as appropriate at the company party as it is in the work place. Though staff is there to relax and enjoy themselves, bottom line is that they are doing so on the company dime, so instituting reasonable conduct policies is certainly appropriate.

3. Have employee pre-arrange alternate transportation regardless of whether they plan on drinking or not. A company fund to assist with transportation expenses to and from the party may seem a bit expensive at first, but is a lot less expensive than the increase in your premiums in the event someone has an accident going home from the party, not to say anything about all of the other ancillary aftermath. Transportation can be handled through a voucher system, or arranging for a bus.

4. Have the party during the day time, such as during a long lunch period. People are less inclined to drink large quantities of alcohol during the day time than they are at night.

5. Finally, be sure that meals are served promptly so there aren't any lengthy gaps when staff can consume alcohol.

These certainly aren't the end all of company holiday party suggestions for reducing work comp risk (and other legal risk as well), but they are easy to implement and don't infringe on people's good time.