Christmas parties – the aftermath

Looking back over the festive season do you have any concerns about staff behaviour (or your own!) at any company events?  Would you be happy for photos of your Christmas celebrations to be shared on the internet?

It was suggested that staff should be prohibited from taking photos with mobile phones at Christmas parties because it allows impulsive broadcast of potentially inappropriate images. 

Employers can be held responsible for employees’ actions at work events, but how far does that go?  At what point should staff take personal responsibiliby for their behaviour?  Is it acceptable to take the line that ‘if there’s no evidence, it didn’t happen?’

Without appearing Scrooge-like, it may be prudent to issue timely reminders about bad behaviour leading to disciplinary action, and a warning that this could encompass the sending of images bringing the company into disrepute as well as the behaviour depicted, even if it did not occur on company premises.