People Dynamics Newsletter - People Matters
Issue 57, November 2009 | Back to Newsletters Index
PD News
Hi everyone, we hope you are all well. We have settled into our new offices so if you are in Melbourne, please come and drop by to see us if you haven't already.
November sees the start of the ‘silly season’ and a time when HR is kept
busy. It is the middle of the racing carnival in many states, particularly
here in Melbourne (may your horse win!) and it is the time people start
planning their Christmas Parties. This month’s newsletter centres around
all the important tips and traps of Christmas parties and functions such
as the races, and some of the more serious sides to be aware of.
Silly Season Functions —Tips and Traps
It’s the time when you will find you are invited out to racing days and other client functions. The days are getting warmer and people tend to be more care free as they think about the end of the year and holidays. As an employer, it is vital to remember it is also a time that people in their more care free attitude can sometimes forget themselves. Traditionally at these functions, people can consume too much alcohol and say and do inappropriate things. Things can be said that not only expose you to liability but also a damage to your reputation as a business. Employers can be exposed to what is called ‘vicarious liability’. This is when you as an employer has responsibility for the actions of employees when they are at work, even when you may have been directly involved.
What to do:
- Think about the location of the event—is it a venue under your control? If not, is there security at the event?
- How will employees be travelling to and from the event? You may need to provide cab vouchers.
- Set clear start and finish times
- Make sure you have a Code of Conduct in place that clearly outlines what is expected of employees at all work related functions, whether they be held at work or not.
- Make sure you have refresher training on your policies, particularly those that relate to alcohol and drug consumption, sexual harassment and discrimination. It is also useful to provide training for those employees that will be out with clients at events such as the races to understand what to do and say if they are faced with a person who has had too much to drink.
Legal Update
The Safe Work Australia Bill (No.2) passed through the parliament on 7th of September. The Bill formally creates a federal occupational health and safety workers compensation body. Safe Work Australia is an independent body with Commonwealth, state and territory representatives from the government, employers and unions. Safe Work Australia will also play a part in the development of uniform OHS laws which will be presented by late 2011.