Robert Nobile and Howard Wexler Published in HR Advisor
“Tips on Limiting Employer Liability at Company Parties”

An article by Employment attorneys Robert Nobile and Howard Wexler was published in the January/February edition of HR Advisor regarding the legal concerns involved with company-sponsored parties at which alcohol is served. Bob and Howard provide tips for employers to reduce their liability, but most significantly to ensure employee safety.

According to the authors, some of the risks from company parties include claims of sexual harassment, negligence, and workers’ compensation. To minimize exposure to liability, some of the tips they suggest include: prior to the party, circulating the company sexual harassment, social media, and dress code policies, noting that they include company events outside the office; considering limiting the number of drinks provided to each employee at parties; providing non-alcoholic beverages and food; reminding the wait staff not to serve drinks to anyone appearing intoxicated; and ensuring that all employees who appear intoxicated arrive safely at home, whether through designated drivers or public transportation.

Bob and Howard emphasize the importance of company parties, as “The much more relaxed atmosphere at company social events (in comparison to the normal workplace) can certainly add to increasing employee morale.” However, they warn that “Despite a company’s best intentions, there are many negative situations that can result from company parties as well. Employers now more than ever before are under a microscope in this regard due to the advent of various social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Flickr which enable employees to post pictures and videos of incidents that occur at such events, and share them with the world.”