With the office Christmas party season now in full swing, Bath’s restaurants and bars are busy with employees from local firms enjoying their traditional festive get-together.
The festive get-together is a great way to boost staff morale and recognise the efforts of staff over the past year. 
But it can also be full of pitfalls and if employers don’t set some ground rules and let staff know what is expected of them, there could be consequences for the workplace that last longer than the worst hangover the morning after the night before.
To help Bath firms make sure their Christmas party is one to remember – and not forget – Bath-based Juice Recruitment has come up with an essential 10-point plan for bosses.
- Make it your round. Why not start the party with a few drinks on the company. You may even want to consider an open bar, but don’t allow things to get out of hand. It is also worth remembering not everyone drinks alcohol so have a tasty alternative for those who want to stay sober.
- Pre-book taxis. Making a block booking at a specific time means all your staff get home safely and it also puts an end time on proceedings. Crawling out of a nightclub at 3am with your staff may not boost your popularity in the way you hoped.
- Be wary of social media. Encourage staff to ditch Facebook and Twitter for the night and enjoy the moment. It might also help to gently remind them of your company’s social media policy, especially if they have access to any company profiles or accounts #awkward.
- Screens off. Admittedly as the boss it can be hard to switch off – even at Christmas – but it’s important to join in the festive fun and get to know your staff. Don’t spend the evening staring at your phone. Remember: Smile and nod.
- Don’t over indulge! Have a laugh, make a toast, dress up as Santa or join in the karaoke – but know your limits. Remember that come the morning you will need to command respect from your staff.
- Don’t get drawn into office politics. You’re the boss, which means you have to rise above such things and talk to everyone.
- Talk shop – but not for too long! Try not to let work hijack the party. While it’s good to chat to staff questions in a more relaxed setting, make sure you don’t spend the entire night boring your employees or making them feel they are in an appraisal.
- Eating is not always cheating. Your staff will really appreciate a slap-up meal to herald in the Christmas period and mark the end of a successful year. It will also help soak up all that free booze you’re giving them.
- Give them some time off. Why not show you really care by allowing staff to leave early on the day of the party so they can get glammed up. And then go a step further and give them the next morning off too – let’s be honest it’s hardly going to be the most productive!
- The morning after the night before. To really show your appreciation why not send all staff an email thanking them for a great evening. And if they do come in the following morning making sure bacon sandwiches are delivered to the office will also go a long way to motivating staff.
