1 December 2006
December has arrived and with it comes all the excitement of Christmas. The festivities and holiday period are something that most of us look forward to, but for the HR department it can be a difficult time. So, here are a few tips, one for each day of Christmas, for maintaining peace and goodwill to all!
1. Before the Christmas party, if you are having one, circulate your harassment policy and remind staff that the guidelines for conduct still apply and that inappropriate behaviour may lead to disciplinary action.
2. Generosity is to be applauded but think twice before providing an open bar. This can encourage staff to abuse alcohol which may contribute towards misconduct and increase the employer’s liability.
3. If alcohol is likely to be consumed remind staff not to drink and drive. Make arrangements to ensure taxis are available throughout the evening and consider meeting the cost of these to further encourage their use. You could also plan designated drivers ahead of the event.
4. Be considerate to others whom may not wish to share in the excitement or the activities. Yes they might be a "bah humbug" but they may also not celebrate Christmas for religious reasons. Either way their wishes should be respected.
5. Staff taking part in "Secret Santa" must accept responsibility and not be offended. The last thing the company needs is to investigate complaints that "Santa gave me a pair of skimpy knickers!"
6. Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. Use this time to accept corporate and social responsibility and make a donation to a charity or join a local scheme whereby employees are also able to contribute gifts for the less fortunate.
7. Many charities also ask for unwanted Christmas cards after the event. Organise one for all staff to use and set up collection points around the office.
8. If you are giving a Christmas bonus spare a thought for those who are absent who may still be entitled to it, particularly women on maternity leave. If you are reluctant to pay in any circumstances seek advice first, before crossing them off your list!
9. No-one wants to get a cold at Christmas and viruses can spread rapidly through out the office. It’s still not too late to arrange flu jabs for any employees who want one.
10. In the run up to Christmas time keeping is likely to become a problem. Coming back late from lunch is bound to be a frequent occurrence for the last minute shopper who gets stuck in a queue. Giving employees a day off for shopping will be gratefully received and possibly easier to manage.
11. Attendance will be an issue if everyone wants to take the time off. Be fair in your allocation of holiday but also make sure you have enough cover. Decide in advance how you will treat sickness before or after the bank holidays or on a day when an employee is expected to provide cover. If you are likely to withhold sick pay or discipline employees suspected of malingering, make sure employees are aware of this.
12. Be sure to have arrangements in place for business continuity and emergency contact details, especially if you shut down for the whole period.
Finally, for those of you who are now annoyingly trying to remember the rhyme and can only get as far a five gold rings, the 12 days of Christmas actually goes like this:
- A partridge in a pear tree
- Two turtle doves
- Three French hens
- Four calling birds
- Five gold rings
- Six geese a laying
- Seven swans a swimming
- Eight maids a milking
- Nine ladies dancing
- Ten lords a leaping
- Eleven pipers piping, and
- Twelve drummers drumming!