Planning a Holiday Party? Some Tips to Keep You and Your Business Out of Harm’s Way.

<p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';">Can you believe it? The holidays are here.&nbsp; In fact, this week is the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbtv.com/"> SBTV.com</a> holiday party. I&#39;m looking forward to it. It&#39;s a great time to get everyone together and say thanks for a fantastic year and&nbsp;it&#39;s a wonderful opportunity to meet spouses, partners, friends and significant others. </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';"> Of course, there are often the post-party stories that get told over and over again about someone dancing with the lamp shade on his head or a&nbsp;stolen kiss under the mistletoe. Most of the antics are harmless, but&nbsp;if the festivities can get out of hand&nbsp;that could mean serious consequences for your business. </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';"> As an employer, you can be held liable for actions occurring during or as the result of your company sponsored social event – particularly if alcohol is served. It&#39;s a concept known as social host liability and it is recognized by many courts across the country. (It&#39;s a good idea to consult an attorney and your insurance carrier before your event.) </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';"> Here are some ideas to help you host a fun, yet safe holiday soiree. First, make sure attendance at your event is voluntary. You want to eliminate any implication that work is being conducted at the party. </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';"> Secondly, make sure you don&#39;t drink too much. Yeah that&#39;s right. Limit the number of drinks to one or two. You need a clear head and good judgment to avoid problems. Arrange for alternative transportation. Ask for volunteers to be&nbsp;designated drivers or arrange for a taxi service to ensure your guests arrive home safely. </span></p> <p><span style="FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';"> Plan your menu so there aren&#39;t a lot of salty foods. Salty foods make you thirsty and as a result you drink more. Make sure you serve your guests their drinks. Don&#39;t provide a self-serve bar. It&#39;s even a better idea to hire a professional bartender who can keep eye on how much your guests are drinking. Also, make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand. Consider hosting your party in the afternoon or early evening when people tend to drink less. </span></p><span style="FONT-SIZE:11pt;FONT-FAMILY:'Arial', 'sans-serif';">Finally, stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends. Instead, offer a coffee bar and some wonderful deserts. I don&#39;t mean to put a damper on your event, but it is better to be safe than sorry. You don&#39;t have to be a grinch.&nbsp; It is possible to host a fun event for your&nbsp;team and still protect your company from liability.</span>