Christmas party risk | Half of employers face HR issues at work events

Nearly half of employers have had an HR issue arise from work-related social events, yet a significant number have no policy in place to manage behaviour, according to new research.

As Christmas party season kicks off, a WorkNest survey of HR professionals found that over half (52%) said their organisation had experienced at least one HR issue linked to a work party or social gathering. Almost one quarter (23%) of these businesses have had multiple incidents.

Despite this, almost four in ten employers (39%) do not have a clear policy covering behaviour at work-related social events, or are unsure if one exists. Just 22% say they have a policy and proactively communicate it to staff ahead of events, leaving many organisations exposed and relying on informal approaches that don’t offer much protection should something go wrong.

Almost a quarter (22%) of those surveyed have a policy but rarely share it meaning people don’t have the clarity they need.