Christmas Parties For Dental Practices - At what price?

Christmas is just around the corner. If your Practice is having a Christmas party, there are few things you might need to remember.

Work-related social events such as the Christmas party are found by the Employment Tribunal to be in the course of employment. Employers can be held liable for acts of their employees which are committed in the course of their employment.

There is often lots of alcohol at the Christmas Party, employees can quickly let their guard down and can make jokes or make advances they would not usually make in the workplace. This behaviour can amount to harassment or discrimination.

It is also the case that if such behaviour continues, for example in a car when the employee is given a lift home after the event, the harassment is a continuation of the same course of conduct.

In such a situation, should the employee make a claim to the Employment Tribunal, the amount of compensation that can be awarded is unlimited.

It is recommended that all Dental Practice Owners issue a policy statement which states that all employees should be treated with dignity at the Christmas party and that any behaviour which amounts to an act of discrimination or harassment will not be permitted or condoned. It should also state that employees who feel as though they have been discriminated against should complain to the Practice Owner.

The main policy which should be circulated is the Equality and Diversity Policy. This Policy should then be communicated to all employees in advance of the Christmas Party. Managers and supervisors have a particular duty to ensure that harassment does not occur. They should have a sound understanding of the policy and be responsive to it.

If an employee complains about the behaviour of a fellow colleague at the Christmas Party, then a grievance procedure should be followed to try to stop the issue from escalating. If it is found that an employee has violated this policy, it should be treated as a disciplinary offence.

Practices are advised to ensure all staff are reminded of the Equality & Diversity/Dignity at Work Policy in advance, in order to try and prevent any issues occurring and to ensure you have a good defence in the Employment Tribunal.

Sarah Buxton
[email protected]
0113 244 0597