Blog

Top 5 tips to a Happy HR Christmas

I, like many of my clients, will not be working between Christmas and New Year.  I therefore want to be sure you avoid some of the Christmas pitfalls that lie in wait every year.  Here are my top 5 tips:

1. Christmas Decorations

It’s time to make the place look jolly so out with the decorations. Every year people stand on desks and swivel chairs to put things up high. What if someone fell off and ruined their Christmas – and your insurance claims record?

If you don’t already have one, buy a sturdy step ladder. Make sure someone “spots” the ladder so that the only thing that comes down, is the decorations in January. For more information about working safely at height, please click here.

2. Absent Friends

If any employees are on long term leave, don’t forget to invite them to the Christmas party. They may not want to come but no one likes to feel forgotten.

3. The Christmas Party

Your Christmas party still counts as being at your place of work. You are still responsible for your employees’ health, safety and wellbeing. If someone misbehaves, offends someone or does anything illegal, you would need to deal with it as if it had happened in your workplace. That could mean taking disciplinary action. A friendly note beforehand to this effect could save you a lot of bother. Please contact me if you would like help with this.

4. The Day After the Night Before

You might also want to remind employees to limit their alcohol if they are working the next day. If they don’t, they could be a danger to themselves or others. They could be over the legal drink drive limit or unsafe to work, for example if they operate dangerous machinery or work at height.

5. Secret Santa

Some people love Secret Santa. Some don’t. Always give people a choice whether or not to take part.

If Secret Santa is visiting your workplace this year, set some ground rules. Nothing rude, offensive or illegal and avoid anything that could upset religious beliefs.

I hope that following these simple tips will mean that you too can switch off from work over Christmas.

Merry Christmas and I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.