The Legal Risks Businesses Should Consider Before Hosting Office Halloween Parties
Halloween isn’t just for children. In fact, Americans ranked Halloween as their third-favorite holiday, right behind Christmas and Thanksgiving.But should ghosts and goblins be allowed in the office? Studies confirm that workplace social functions boost morale and teamwork. Unfortunately, they can also provide a breeding ground for liability.
Legal Issues to Consider
For businesses considering a Halloween office party, there are some issues to be “spooked” about. However, establishing clear guidelines and encouraging employees to use common sense can go a long way to managing legal risks. Below are a few tips:
Inappropriate costumes It is important to specify if and when employees are allowed to wear costumes. For instance, companies may want to restrict the wearing of costumes to after work hours. For those that allow workers to dress up in the office, encourage employees to wear work-appropriate costumes and provide a non-exhaustive list of what may be considered unacceptable, such as costumes that are overly revealing or sexually suggestive and costumes that feature realistic weapons.
Don’t require attendance: Social events can help boost employee morale and camaraderie. However, Halloween parties are not everyone’s idea of a good time and could even make workers uncomfortable. Therefore, it’s a good idea not to make attendance mandatory.
Alcohol impairment: Companies who serve alcohol at social functions can be held liable if a guest is injured or hurts someone else due to alcohol impairment. So if you are hosting a Halloween party, you may want to consider holding the event during the day and avoiding alcohol. If it is served, limiting employees to certain number of drink tickets, serving ample amounts of food, and providing a safe way home can mitigate the risk of an alcohol-related incident.
Sexual harassment: The ability to hide behind costumes can encourage employees to engage in bad behavior that could be construed as sexual harassment. Staff should be reminded that they will be held to the same standards of professionalism that apply when wearing normal attire, i.e. pretending to bite someone’s neck is not appropriate.
Insurance coverage: If you are hosting your Halloween party in-house, talk to your insurance carrier about the availability of dram shop insurance or liquor law liability insurance to cover the event. When using an outside facility or caterer, it is important to verify that they have the appropriate insurance to cover any potential liability exposure for your business.
Do you have any questions? Would you like to discuss the matter further? If so, please contact me, Sean Dias, at 201-806-3364.
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public
Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]
Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions
Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
