Year-end work functions: Legal risks for employers to be aware of

Year-end work functions: Legal risks for employers to be aware of

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Year-end work functions: Legal risks for employers to be aware of

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Sashin highlighted that one of the biggest concerns during workplace functions is employee behaviour, particularly at events where alcohol consumption is common. "Workplace functions are often a time to celebrate the year gone by, but professionalism remains important," he explained.

Sashin emphasised that employees must strictly adhere to company policies, procedures, and codes of conduct, even during celebratory events associated with the workplace or employer. "A year-end function is not an excuse to disregard the standards set by the employer," he advised.

Sashin also addressed the complexities introduced by the provision of alcohol at work functions, whether held on-site or off-site. He pointed out that alcohol can increase the risk of misconduct, accidents, and health and safety violations. "Companies may face legal liability for damages or incidents linked to an employee's actions during a work-related function," he cautioned.

To mitigate these risks, Sashin recommended educating employees on expected behavior, especially for off-site events where reputational damage for both individuals and employers could be greater.

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