Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

Office Holiday Parties

Many employers like to reward their workers at the end of the year with an office holiday party. This can be a good opportunity for people to relax after a year of hard work, have some fun, and get to know their co-workers better. However, office parties can also lead to hurt feelings, personal injury, and legal complications if employers fail to properly plan and regulate them. If your workplace is planning a holiday party this year, remember that your legal employment rights do not end when the party begins.

Common and potentially illegal mistakes that employers make while hosting parties includes:

• Religious discrimination. The ideal holiday party will be an open celebration that all workers feel comfortable participating in. If workers feel coerced or forced to attend a religious event, their employers have crossed the line into illegal discrimination.
• Failure to ensure safety. Employers have a duty to provide a safe environment for their employers, even during social events. While California law does not hold hosts responsible for injuries that occur outside of the party, such as drunk driving accidents, employers can be liable for preventable accidents that occur at the party.
• Poor supervision. The relaxed atmosphere of a holiday party can lead to less than professional behavior among attendants. Employers need to educate workers about correct behavior and take proper measures to prevent sexual harassment, offensive language, and other potential problems at their parties.

Contact a Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

If you have been exposed to offensive or discriminatory behavior at an office party, contact Los Angeles employment lawyer Perry Smith at 1-800-356-2529.