Planning Holiday Office Parties? How To Avoid Workers' Compensation Liability
The holidays are here. It's time to start planning for the office parties. If you'll be hosting office parties for your employees this year, you need to take steps to avoid workers' compensation claims. You might not realize this, but if an employee is injured during an office party, they may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. That is unless you take steps to prevent that. Here are four steps you need to take to prevent workers' compensation claims from arising out of your holiday office parties.
Make Office Parties Voluntary
If you're going to be hosting a holiday office party for your employees, it's crucial that the party be voluntary. Hosting a party where attendance is mandatory will leave you at risk for workers' compensation benefits should an employee suffer injuries during the festivities. In addition to refraining from mandatory party attendance, here are two other situations you need to avoid.
No Coercion
When making party attendance voluntary, avoid using coercion to entice attendance. Coercion includes offering bonuses for anyone who attends or threatening schedule changes for lack of attendance.
No Employees Left Behind
In addition to coercion and mandatory attendance, it's also important that you avoid leaving some employees behind to run the office. When hosting a voluntary office party, it should be scheduled at a time when all employees have the option of attending, if they choose to.
Rent an Off-Site Location
If you're going to host an office party, and you want to avoid workers' compensation liability, rent an off-site location for the festivities. Hosting a work-site holiday party could put you at risk for workers' compensation liability. However, hosting the party at an off-site location separates the festivities from the workplace.
Monitor the Alcohol Consumption
If you're going to be providing alcoholic beverages at your holiday office parties, be sure to monitor the alcohol consumption. One way to do that is to hire a professional bartender. That way, access to alcohol can be monitored properly.
Refrain From Work-Related Activities
If you'll be hosting office parties this holiday season, refrain from all work-related activities. To do that, you should refrain from inviting clients to the party. Inviting clients to your office party will create a work/party situation, which could make you liable for workers' compensation claims.
Don't take chances with your office parties this year. Use the tips provided here to reduce your liability for workers' compensation claims. If injuries do occur at your office parties, be sure to contact a workers' compensation defense attorney as soon as possible.
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