HR Grapevine Advent Calendar: A cautionary tale on 'Black Eye Friday'

Today is the first ‘Black Eye Friday’ of the year: the nickname for the final Friday before Christmas, but this year’s there’s two! Because of the glut of Christmas parties expected today, emergency services are anticipating a very busy night; partly because of the inevitable excessive alcohol consumption, and partly because of the violence this sometimes leads to.

Recruitment Grapevine reported earlier this week on the recruitment firm that was acquitted over a staff punch-up following their Christmas party.

Alex Payton, Director at Howes Percival, explains the case and why they weren’t to blame for the punch-up: “The company's Christmas party had been arranged for all staff and their partners at a golf club. The party passed without incident. After the party, a group took taxis, to a hotel where some of them were staying. Most of the group continued drinking alcohol and socialising at the hotel. In the early hours of the morning, conversation turned to work and an argument broke out between the Director and a Sales Manager, Mr Bellman. This led to the director punching Mr Bellman twice and causing brain damage.  

“Mr Bellman brought a claim for damages against the company, suggesting that it was vicariously liable for the director's actions.