HR Violations or Office Celebrations: The Shocking Party Risks You Didn't See Coming

"Holiday Cheers and HR Fears" Norris McLaughlin, P.A.'s The Employment Strategists Podcast 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As companies bring employees together for their end of year celebrations, office events may lead to HR risks and career-ending mistakes. In this episode of The Employment Strategists podcast, labor and employment attorneys and co-hosts David T. Harmon and Mariya Gonor pull back the curtain on workplace party disasters and explore how to celebrate without putting your company or yourself into legal trouble.

"The employer needs to have policies that they are ready to enforce," says David T. Harmon, co-chair of the Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies practice group. "Those policies exist to protect employees and the workplace; they need to be ready to act when boundaries are crossed."

This podcast episode focuses on everything from mandatory attendance and alcohol policies to employee expectations. Keeping your celebrations safe, compliant, and fun is critical to avoiding a human resources disaster. "Even if the party is off-site, that doesn't mean that the employer policies, including harassment, discrimination, all of a sudden go out the window," says Mariya Gonor, co-chair of the Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies practice group. "Those policies still are very much effective because it is an employer-sponsored event."

Employers should handle these situations like any other complaint. "If you face inappropriate conduct or harassment, speak up," urges Harmon.

The episode also includes real-world scenarios, such as cases where improper behavior at holiday parties led to legal action or reputational damage. "For employees, it's simple," says Harmon. "Act professionally, or risk being the talk of the company on Monday."

About The Employment Strategists

Explore the workplace with "The Employment Strategists" podcast and blog.

Join your hosts, attorneys David Harmon and Mariya Gonor, as they address challenges faced by both employers and employees. From hiring to termination, this podcast offers insights into the evolving employment relationship. Tune in for engaging and entertaining discussions to help navigate these complex employment-related issues.

This podcast is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information purposes only and you are urged to consult a lawyer concerning your own situation with any specific legal questions you may have. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants.

Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is a multi-practice, commercial law firm with offices in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, delivering legal solutions to clients wherever they conduct their business, including nationally and internationally. The firm's nearly 130 attorneys practice in more than 25 legal disciplines and industry-focused groups and serve a wide range of clients, including small businesses, middle-market companies, and Fortune 500 corporations, as well as the private individuals and families who may own, lead, and/or manage those companies. Norris McLaughlin is a member of Meritas®, a global alliance of leading independent law firms. To learn more, visit www.norrismclaughlin.com. 

SOURCE Norris McLaughlin, P.A