ABA Journal
"It’s December, and for many law firms that means it’s time to put on the party hats and try to have some fun. But a celebratory event like a holiday party can quickly devolve into drunkenness, inappropriate behavior and a litigation mess if law firm management isn’t careful, employment lawyers warn.
“I can’t tell you the number of calls I’ve gotten the week after a holiday party with concerns that someone who was drinking acted inappropriately toward a work colleague,” says Deborah Brouwer, an employment defense lawyer and managing partner at Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer in Detroit.
“Perhaps gone are the times when people put lampshades on their heads and danced on the tables, but unwanted sexual harassment still happens, and it seems to happen more frequently at holiday parties,” she adds.
When planning and executing an office party, every aspect must be scrutinized in terms of the potential consequences, according to Jessica Childress, founder of the Childress Firm in Washington, D.C. She represents employees and small businesses in work-related matters.
“Office parties need to be professional and inclusive, just like the workplace is,” says Childress, who also conducts anti-harassment and respectful workplace trainings. “What does the invitation look like? Have you told your employees the expectations for the party? What have you done to make sure there isn’t too much alcohol..."
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