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Tag Archives: alcohol

Last Friday Night: Holiday Parties Continue to Present Challenges To Employers

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

What is it about the holiday party that makes otherwise decent, hard-working people lose their mind? Alcohol is certainly the main reason, in my view. Open bars are invitations to lots of craziness. (Just ask Katy Perry.)   Since it is unlikely (and unrealistic) that all companies will move to “dry” parties (though some have moved… Continue Reading

The Office Holiday Party – Alcohol-Induced Stupidity Can Lead to Serious Sexual Harassment Claims

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance

UPDATED There are no statistics out there to prove this point, but the traditional office holiday party has to be among the top places where claims of sexual harassment and hostile work environment start. Indeed, just a cursory look at some federal employment cases shows a common thread that run through each of them: alcohol-induced… Continue Reading

The Office Holiday Party – Over the Big Pond, a Different Type of Party

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

This month, I’ve recapped some thoughts on the office holiday party in the United States (available here, here and here.)  But by and large, holiday parties in the United States are fairly tame – particularly when compared with our friends in Great Britain.  Whether that’s through litigation or tradition is a question for sociologists, not employment law… Continue Reading

Afterward – More Holiday Party Antics

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

After my two-part series of posts on office holiday parties (here and here), I thought I would pass along a more humorous post about holiday parties.  A temporary employment firm has compiled its list of the most outrageous holiday party hijinks.  Creative Group, a temporary employment firm focused on the advertising, marketing and creative fields,… Continue Reading

Part II – Employer Liability at Office Holiday Parties – Beyond Sexual Harassment

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

Yesterday, I talked about issue spotting for holiday parties.  But what are some pro-active steps an employer can take? Well, there is no "one size fits all" approach.  Here are some suggestions to ponder that may fit for a particular employer. To Drink or Not to Drink Since alcohol can be tied to many of… Continue Reading

Part I – Employer Liability at Office Holiday Parties — Beyond Sexual Harassment

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Human Resources (HR) Compliance

With the Office Holiday Party scene upon us, most articles, like this one in the New York Times tend to point out the obvious risks associated with them — sexual harassment.  In my view, if employers are not aware that mixing alcohol with co-workers in a festive setting can be a recipe for harassment claims,… Continue Reading

Wrongful Discharge Claim For Reporting Bar Manager Rejected by Jury

By Daniel Schwartz on Posted in Litigation

A recent article by the Connecticut Law Tribune reported on the trial of two bar workers who claimed that they were terminated in retaliation for reporting a supervisor’s alleged sexual harassment of a waitress.  According to court records In the trial of  Daniel Van Kruiningen and Kimberly Chatterton v. Plan B, LLC d/b/a Mohegan After… Continue Reading