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Christmas: a time of merriment, goodwill, a drink or two… and the infamous office party. Having long been associated with excess, out-of-character exploits and awkward moments, the office Christmas party is prized and feared in equal measure.
But this year something has changed - Jersey now has a Sex Discrimination Law - which could mean that the usual party antics could amount to illegal sex discrimination.
Law At Work – Jersey’s leading human resources, employee relations and health and safety specialist – is offering a free online clinic on Wednesday 25 November on how to manage Christmas party, before and after.
What if Secret Santa novelty gifts offend? Can you still let the ladies leave early to ‘get ready’? What about those risqué departmental cabarets where the performers are the only ones who think they’re funny? Mistletoe, anyone? At what point does work life end and personal responsibility start? Is a free bar sensible? And the morning after: can blanking your one night’s stand really amount to harassment? Time to claw back that Christmas bonus? Is it safer to just stay at home?
LAW is offering this free online clinic to any employer who wants to understand how to mitigate the risks of their Christmas party. It will cover the practical steps an employer could consider to pre-empt problems, and what they need to do if matters start to or have run out of control, particularly when it comes to the discrimination legislation.
Kelly Flageul, LAW’s Managing Director, says: "Everyone loves a party and, unlike other jurisdictions, Jersey is lucky to still enjoy a culture of work do’s and entertainment. However, we encounter problems every year and, for Jersey, this year will be the first under the new discrimination law. It’s so important to take the time to review your practices, communicate your expected standards of conduct to your employees, and, if necessary, update and supplement your existing employee policies to make sure they cover you for every eventuality. We feel that by offering this free online clinic, we can help employers assess the impact to their business and be prepared as much as they can be.”
If you've got any concerns about your Christmas party and want to avoid any new year HR headaches, then join in the discussion. The online clinic will be held between 1 pm and 2 pm on Wednesday 25 November.
Anyone can pose a question using the hashtag #asklaw, either on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lawatworkci), Twitter (www.twitter.com/lawatworkci) or Linkedin (search Law At Work Channel Islands). Alternatively they can ask a question in advance by emailing enquiry@lawatworkci.com, and the answer will be posted during the session.
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