Worker antics 'cause bosses to rethink Christmas parties'

Many employers could be foregoing the traditional office Christmas party due to the 'morning after effect', one employment lawyer believes.

Speaking to the Scotsman, Innes Clark, employment law partner with Morton Fraser, says that increased absenteeism the day after a festive bash means many managers are starting to think twice about organising events.

Also having a similar effect are cases of employee fights and claims of harassment, often fuelled by drinks at Christmas celebrations.

Mr Innes said: While traditionally Christmas parties are perceived to be the event at which employees let their hair down, as many as 65 per cent of employers report sacking a staff member following a staff party.

He said that bosses may want to consider limiting the amount of alcohol that can be consumed instead of having free bars.

According to a poll conducted by Monster, 66 per cent of employees said they do not look forward to their work Christmas party.

Such organised fun seldom works, asserts a spokesperson for ClickAJob - as individuals, staff are so different that a 'one size fits all' arrangement is doomed to failure.

It's a kind of corporate blindness that happens over the festive season, he says.

Throughout the year we all respect and recognise diversity - then along comes the Christmas party and somehow everybody cringes in aversion, he observes.

Because all staff are different, so are ways in which they like to enjoy themselves - finding out what these are works far better than relying on the boozy Christmas lunch as a common denominator.