Silly Season Shenanigans

The “Silly Season”; when businesses prepare to shut down for a break and staff Christmas parties are plentiful, along with the food and drink that accompanies them. This year, let’s make sure your business does not suffer morning after party regret.

Generally, the festive season is a time to relax after a long hard year and review personal and professional achievements. Some of you may also start planning for the year ahead.

What impact will the Silly Season celebrations have on your business?

Many HR professionals anticipate an increase in complaints and reports in January after the year end festivities. White Ribbon has published some information to guide and inform employers.

There are ways for your business to minimise these festive hangovers, including having clear policies and procedures relating to:

• work functions;
• employee Code of Conduct;
• complaint processes;
• disciplinary processes;
• use of work technology; and
• social media use.

These celebrations tend to bring out the “happy snapper” in colleagues who decide that any slightly embarrassing antic must be recorded on via photographic or video evidence.  Helped of course by the fact that everyone now has some version of a smart phone.  . It is not appropriate to take and publish images of someone without their consent. We tend to enjoy our colleagues’ “embarrassing” moments but there is no need to record these in detail and post them on social media.

Avoiding expensive and disruptive conflict scenarios

How can your business ensure that party festivities do not create expensive conflict scenarios which start your new year off badly?

• Ensure that you have the appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensure that all employees are aware of these and how to access them
• Provide a short pre-briefing prior to revelry - ensuring everyone understands the expectations of behaviour
• Arrange transport for after the festivities
• Have a “sober Bob” who can oversee the revelry

Here’s how Blackforrest can help ensure you and your team enjoy the celebrations and a great start to a new year.

• Review policies and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose and legislatively compliant
• Provide coaching and mentoring for leaders
• In the event of a conflict, provide early intervention conflict resolution strategies for all parties in order to ensure that the issue does not escalate and is resolved as amicably and peacefully as possible.

Of course, it goes without saying that it’s not just the Silly Season that this is all relevant too. Whenever your workplace engages in social activities, it’s important to keep this checklist front of mind.

If you do find yourself in a situation of “morning after party regret”, contact us for a complimentary and confidential initial discussion.