Articles

Articles

Latest News

As part of our service at Harris Tate, we produce a range of legal articles that are published in various media, designed to alert our clients to legal developments that may affect them.

Our legal articles are written by lawyers and legal executives and discuss legal aspects relating to industries, businesses and individuals as well as focusing on everyday legal topics of interest.  These articles provide information to help educate our clients on different topics and current events in the law.  They may raise additional questions.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or to discuss your individual situation in more detail.

Avoid the Christmas party legal hangover

1 November 2015

Booze-fuelled romantic advances on colleagues, workers swearing at their boss and inappropriate posts to social media. Welcome to the silly season that is Christmas work parties.

Regrettably, each year we have numerous enquiries and referrals come to us for legal assistance as the consequence of social interaction, and usually a few too many drinks. This is often expensive and embarrassing for all involved.

So while gearing up to celebrate the end of the working year, we stress that employers and employees consider reining in any behavior that can leave a legal hangover lasting long after the holiday season.

We have seen indiscretions that can include sexual harassment, alcohol-fuelled brawls and sending inappropriate text messages. All of which can ruin your career very rapidly.

Needless to say, it pays not to head into summer jobless, or with a legal issue, because you were left red-faced in front of your colleagues or employees.

Social media is also an ever-increasing arena requiring caution, as videos and photos can all be instantly uploaded online (forever), often capturing that moment of inappropriate infamy. Think before you post, or better yet leave any social media posting until you are sober.

Avoid behaviour that you would normally consider completely inappropriate, and if you are the employer consider staying sober, so you can manage such behaviour.

Bottom line, manage your alcohol intake otherwise you may wake up with a headache and a legal hangover.

- Oliver Moorcroft   
Keep up to date
Sign up to receive updates and news from Harris Tate
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.