Whisper it quietly, but many businesses have already planned and booked their Christmas parties, or are in the throes of doing so. Although the school summer holidays are just coming to an end, thoughts have already turned to the festive season.
In that context, a number of prominent professional services firms are taking steps to ensure the safety of their staff on work nights out, and minimise the financial and reputational risks associated with them.
From a legal perspective, it is certainly sensible to do so. In March 2022, Atrium Underwriters received a £1million fine after what was described as a “boys’ night out”, during which senior staff participated in lewd behaviour.
Further, an Auditor who was employed by PWC (and still is) has issued Court proceedings against his employer after he sustained a serious head injury during a work night out in 2019. The injury was so severe that the Auditor in question, Mr. Michael Brockie, had to take six months off work to recover and his claim is for £200,000.00.
Mr. Brockie’s lawyers allege that the Manager from PWC who organised the event “failed to take reasonable care for the safety of co-workers and pressured people into attending the event, which saw staff told to visit nine bars and pubs…” It is further claimed that the similar event in 2018 made a “…competitive virtue of excessive, rapid and prolonged consumption of alcohol.”
Understandably, PWC have cancelled the annual event and stated, “As a responsible employer, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy and inclusive culture for all of our people. We also expect anyone attending social events to be responsible, and to ensure their own safety and that of others.”
To mitigate similar risks, PWC have now encouraged event organisers to appoint designated “responsible individuals” to oversee the “wellbeing of attendees.” Those workers would be asked to remain sober or drink only lightly. Similarly, law firm, Linklaters, professional services firm, KPMG and Accountants, BDO are among other firms that in recent years have taken steps to reduce the risks of heavy drinking on work gatherings.
A spokesman from PWC has stated, “We … have clear policies and guidance in place for anyone organising and attending work social events, either in or out of the Office.”
While employers clearly want to reward their hardworking staff and ensure they enjoy the social side of their job, it is legally important employers take a responsible and sensible approach to work nights out, and ensure their employees are kept as safe as possible.
If you require guidance on this issue, or have any other queries in relation to employment or HR law, please contact Jonathan Moreland by email at jmm@swinburnemaddison.co.uk or Sharney Randhawa at shr@swinburnemaddison.co.uk or call them on 0191 3842441.
