When Hallowe'en is past and holiday lights start making their appearance, we can be sure the seasonal office party season isn't far behind. It's this time of year when employees face a heightened risk of accidents (primarily vehicular) due to impairment.
Canadian court cases have firmly established the employer’s duty of care towards employees who consume alcohol at company events. The employer must take active steps to prevent injuries as a result of its employees’ alcohol consumption.
There is only one sure way to avoid accidents due to impairment and the resulting employer host liability – eliminate alcohol from company events. But, if banning alcohol from staff events isn’t a satisfactory solution, the employer can take steps to protect its employees and, ultimately, itself.
See our article containing guidelines to ensure your company has a safe holiday party:
http://www.pushormitchell.com/publications.asp?Mode=ViewArticle&PubID=258