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With the festive season quickly approaching, your employees may be looking forward to letting their hair down at the upcoming end-of-year celebrations.
Now is the time for employees and employers alike, to consider their obligations and how they apply to work functions like Christmas or New Year parties, both inside and outside of the workplace.
Unfortunately, many employers do not fully understand their level of responsibility and legal liability when it comes to Christmas or New Year parties and functions. Employers can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees which extends to inappropriate statements and conduct that occur at work-related Christmas events.
We’ve prepared this Quick Guide to help employers understand their risks and how to effectively manage and mitigate them.
1.
Employers Obligations
Section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) sets out the primary duty of care that an employer has to its employees. It states that:
(1) A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of:
(a) workers engaged, or caused to be engaged by the person; and
(b) workers whose activities in carrying out work are influenced or directed by the person;
while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking.
(2) A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.
Remember that while legislation varies between states, Christmas parties and work-related functions are generally considered an extension of the business, regardless of whether they are held at the usual workplace or somewhere else. Therefore, the employer must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of its employees at such parties and functions.
This may include ensuring, among other things, that the party is held at a safe venue, there is not likely to be excessive alcohol consumption and employees are reminded about appropriate conduct and behaviour at work functions.
Whether there is alcohol at a work function or not, the expectations on employee behaviour should be much the same as when they are at work.
Employers should also be aware that alongside health and safety obligations, there are other risks to be considered in relation to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, injuries (worker’s compensation) and even unfair dismissal, in the event an employee is terminated due to their conduct in connection with a work event.
Next, we explore some significant cases that put these risks and obligations into context and provide some guidance around how to protect your business while still enabling everyone to have fun through the upcoming celebration season.
2.
Health & Safety - Case Study
In a recent case, where the owner of a hairdressing salon in South Australia arranged an annual weekend away for her employees:
- the employer paid for accommodation, dinner, breakfast & drinks at the pool / spa;
- the employer went to bed but went downstairs on two occasions throughout the night to ask the employees to stop splashing around;
- the employees continued partying & drinking, booked a male stripper to arrive, removed bather tops, splashed water and liquid soap on tiles and started sliding around on the tiles;
- 1 employee broke her hip & consequently submitted a compensation claim against the employer.
Outcome
The employer was ordered to pay compensation to the employee.
It was found that although the employer would not have suggested they behave in this way, the result was inevitable:
- employees took swimwear knowing they would be swimming;
- alcohol was provided without limitation;
- the venue was not safe given there was a pool / spa, unlimited alcohol, and no supervision.
On the other hand, an employer may not be held accountable where an injury is not deemed to be reasonably foreseeable. An example of this was when an employee was at a work function on a boat and requested that another person (not a fellow employee) stop swearing because there were children present; the employee was then assaulted by the other person. In this instance, the employer was not deemed to have a duty of care to the employee as it was not reasonably foreseeable that the employee would have been assaulted in this way.
3.
Employee Behaviour - Case Study
In Keenan v Boral, an employee attended a Christmas party that was held across 2 levels (bar upstairs and function downstairs):
- The employer supplied unlimited drinks to staff from the upstairs bar throughout the party;
- The employee became very intoxicated and abusive to other staff while downstairs;
- At later stages of the party, he moved upstairs and continued with his obnoxious behaviour including asking other employees out on dates, trying to inappropriately touch and kiss staff;
- The employee was dismissed and subsequently lodged an Unfair Dismissal claim.
Outcome
The Unfair Dismissal claim was upheld (in the employee’s favour).
It was found that the employer was unable to rely on the conduct of the employee whilst in the upstairs bar as this area was not supervised. The behaviour of the employee while downstairs was not severe enough to cause an employee to be dismissed. The employer was reprimanded for not having risk mitigation (supervision) in place.
4.
After Parties
Just because a work function or Christmas party has ended, does not mean that the employer’s duty of care necessarily ends. Even once staff have left the organised event, the organisation may still be liable if an incident occurs following the event. It is important that employers do what they can to ensure that staff get home safely.
The standard that usually applies is that the employer has a duty of care to the employees while they engage in any activity reasonably associated with attending a work function. This may include travel to and from the function. However, the employers’ duty of care ceases when the employee is deemed to be going off on a “frolic of their own”.
If an employee engages in an activity that is not part of the expectation of activities undertaken while at a work function, then they are likely to be stepping outside the employers’ duty of care.
If alcohol is necessary, then the employer needs to ensure employees are safe and everyone knows at what point the work event has concluded. If there is a connection to an after party, then there is a degree of responsibility on the employer.
5.
Our Recommendations
The festive season is a time for fun and celebration, but there are risks and obligations that employers need to manage. Here are our top tips to set you off on the right foot:
- Ensure your event has an end time that is communicated with your team in advance;
- Consider activities that don’t revolve around alcohol – see our Christmas Party Idea’s guide for lots of fun alternatives.
- Consider whether alcohol or an open bar are necessary. If alcohol is permitted, plan the event so that alcohol consumption is likely to be limited (eg. not hours of just standing around drinking; instead include an activity that doesn’t involve alcohol and make sure you provide food!
- Consider the appropriate level of supervision needed, this could include assigning safety officers for the function;
- Ensure you provide your expectations to your chosen venue regarding your employee’s conduct and how you would like them to respond, in the event of inappropriate behaviour;
- If possible, provide transport home following the event;
- Ensure workplace policies and procedures are in place and that you regularly train your team on them, so employees are clear what is acceptable behaviour at work.
- Ensure company policies and behaviour expectations in relation to events and celebrations are clearly communicated to your employees prior to the silly season arriving;
- Remember that employers now have positive duties in relation to sexual harassment and psychosocial hazards, so familiarise yourself with these, and implement practical measures suited to your party/event to mitigate risk. You can read about these changes here –
And most important of all…..have fun!!
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Edwards HR is here to assist you in complying with your obligations and creating a safe, respectful workplace. If you need help with policy updates or team training, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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For more guidance about this update, or to find out how Edwards HR can support your business, contact our team today on 07 3568 0866.
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