Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 6, 2004
For more information, contact:
Candace Walters, 585-381-8340 x11

HR Works offers tips for safe holiday celebrations

(FAIRPORT, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2004) – ‘Tis the season for office parties. ‘Tis also the season for alcohol-related injuries, impaired-driving incidents and arrests, and claims of sexual harassment stemming from overindulgence.

For employers concerned about avoiding such problems, HR Works, Inc., offers a number of suggestions. Among them is the most obvious: Consider not serving alcohol at all, and instead offer employees special activities and entertainment, or serve better food.

But many companies will still opt to serve alcohol. To minimize unfortunate incidents and liability, HR Works suggests the following precautions:

• Designate "spotters" to make sure that people under the influence don't leave the party on their own, become "too friendly" or engage in dangerous activities.
• Never allow a company official or employee to serve alcohol.
• Emphasize that party attendance is voluntary.
• Limit the amount of alcohol that will be served, either by using vouchers or restricting the hours the bar is open.
• Arrange transportation for intoxicated employees.
• Check your general liability policies to determine whether you’re covered for this kind of event and alcohol-related accidents. If not, consider a "special events" policy.

The Working Partners program of the U.S. Department of Labor offers additional guidelines and information at www.dol.gov/workingpartners. In its “Nine tips for office celebrations,” DOL advises posting the company’s alcohol policy prominently in the workplace, and closing the bar well before the party ends.

“Employers have the power to play an important role in making their communities safer for their friends and families by adopting measures to help prevent impaired driving following holiday parties or other celebrations,” says Elena Carr, director of DOL’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program.

Some companies also seize on the opportunity to promote a spirit of holiday generosity. Rather than focus primarily on avoiding trouble, HR Works reports that more employers are using the money typically spent on a party to sponsor a food or clothing drive for the needy, or they’re making a charitable contribution in the company’s and employees’ names.

HR Works, Inc., is a human resource management outsourcing and consulting firm serving more than 600 clients throughout the Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Baltimore/Washington areas. HR Works provides full-time, part-time and interim HR managers; HR audits; legally reviewed employee handbooks and supervisor manuals; affirmative action programs; compensation programs; HR*Stars direct placement services; training; benefits consulting; and more. Reach HR Works at 585-381-8340 or www.hrworks-inc.com.

HR Works
345 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
1-877-219-9062
(Toll Free)