Holiday gatherings are supposed to be a
time to build the morale for those who don’t get to spend time on a social
basis. Their purpose is to encourage
people who don't normally socialize with colleagues to enjoy themselves and talk
about things other than work. These
parties are usually a lot of fun unless someone manages to ruin it by getting
out of hand by too much of a good thing.
This is where the party can get out of hand and wind you up at the wrong
end of a nasty suit. Here are some ways
to help you keep out of trouble without having to scrap your holiday
party. These apply whether you are
having a company party or just a gathering of friends at your house.
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| You Don't Need This Guy at the Party |
First and most important most important is
to have a good handle on the amount of booze available to those attending. Diminished capacity of a party goer from
overdrinking is not a defense to claims of harassment or assault and that hosts
could ultimately be held responsible because they created the environment for
that conduct to take place. It is after
all your place and your responsibility to control the behavior of the people
that you have invited. You shouldn't
have an open bar with unlimited drinks at any of your holiday parties. Limit the drink menu and to make sure to have
one person to pour and serve the booze, preferably someone that is not a guest
of the party.
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| Give up Your Keys if You are Drinking |
Getting people back home after the party
is the next consideration. In to many
cases, people will leave the party and drive home after imbibing way too
much. Have cars and taxis available to make sure
that those who have had too much to drink get home safely.
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| Can't Wait to see This Party on You Tube |
In today's world of social media, smartphones
are always present and people will always be taking pictures and videos of
moments they think are funny, particularly if somebody starts acting up at the
party. Today these holiday parties are
no longer a private party, but rather an open party. Party goers should be reminded of basic
ground rules before posting or sharing any scenes from a holiday party. The old days of what goes on at the party
stays at the party are long gone and there are expectations of privacy when you
are hosting a holiday party.
It is always important to remember when
you get a group of people together, not everyone has the same values and
opinions. It's not appropriate in the general
society and not appropriate at a holiday party to belittle or treat other
guests with disrespect. It is never
easy to keep everything under complete control at a holiday party, but paying
attention to what is happening at the party that you are hosting will limit the
chances of a problem that could wind up with you in an ugly law suit at the end
of the night.
Here is to a wonderful season of holiday
parties and the safety and happy conclusion to what are supposed to be happy
events.
