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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, followed closely, in many cased, by the office holiday party. In recent years, many companies have decided not to hold a party and to do something else instead. For most organizations, however, the party is still a reality, even in tough economic times. Fancy hotel parties are replaced by office potlucks or other activities. Whatever type of party you decide on, this week's articles will help you avoid some of the potential problems such parties present.

Don't let your holiday party become a source of liability. (Item #1)   What are the areas of greatest legal exposure presented by office parties? (Item #2)   To some, the office holiday party feels like walking a tightrope and that's reason enough to just want to stay home. But you can't. (Item #3)  

Avoid lawsuits after a holiday party. (Item #4)   Do you cancel the party or hold it? Either way, you can be sending unintended messages. (Item #5)   Just for fun, a humorist offers a lighthearted look at holiday parties. (Item #6)  

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

Fact is, the office holiday party is the one occasion of the year where work and fun overlap -
a disturbing combination that leaves most employees bewildered about how to behave...
Add alcohol to the mix, and it's a career-threatening humiliation just waiting to happen.

-- Aleksandra Todorova in Smart Money --

Articles

1. Holiday Parties: Don't Let Yours Become a Source of Liability
Each December, companies look to the traditional holiday party as a way to improve morale and make their employees feel appreciated, while sharing with them the joys of the season. Unfortunately, these annual gatherings may not be all fun and games. In order to avoid potential exposure, it is important to understand the legal liabilities associated with hosting a business party.
http://www.martindale.com/transportation/article_Much-Shelist-Denenberg-Ament-Rubenstein_574038.htm

2. Holiday Office Party Do's and Don'ts
Going to the company office holiday party this year? You can take advantage of the office party to have some fun and advance your career or misbehave and cripple your career. Here are some basic rules to survive and thrive at any company-sponsored party.
http://www.quintcareers.com/office_party_dos-donts.html

3. 10 Office Holiday Party Landmines to Avoid
Workers tend to dread holiday parties because "fun" and "continuing to pay your bills" rarely mix. Since you can't sit it out, eWEEK leads you through a guided tour of the landmines to avoid.
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Management/10-Office-Holiday-Party-Landmines-to-Avoid-%5B1%5D/

4. Here Are 13 and a Half Tips to Avoid Lawsuits after a Holiday Office Party
The annual holiday office party can be joyous, festive, memorable...and hazardous to the financial health of the business. But without careful planning, you could end up getting sued for what happens at your party... or what happens AFTER your party.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Office-Party---Here-Are-13-and-a-Half-Tips-to-Avoid-Lawsuits-After-a-Holiday-Office-Party&id=1747077

5. Office holiday parties go on hiatus, but the risks remain
There's only one thing worse than having to go to the holiday party, and that's to learn that yours has been canceled. When corporate penny-pinching axes the event that sends an unequivocal message about the company's financial strength and puts everyone on edge.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/10/27/office-holiday-parties-go-on-hiatus-but-the-risks-remain/

6. Office Party Follies
There are few "fun" activities quite so vexing as the Office Christmas Party; that obligatory gathering of bosses and subordinates, cronies and rivals, back-stabbers and back-stabbees. Plus a horde of husbands and wives who spend the entire night planning their escape. Humorist Madeline Begun Kane takes a lighthearted look at holiday parties.
http://www.madkane.com/officeparty.html