How will the Equality Act impact your Christmas celebrations?
It is well established that employers can be held vicariously liable for their employees actions in the course of their employment. This can include actions which take place outside the workplace, and outside of normal working hours including employers own Christmas parties and those of clients or customers.
We have all heard stories of unruly behaviour at office parties; from offensive comments made after too much alcohol to inappropriate use of the photocopier. One recent case acts as a stark reminder for both employers and employees of how thoughtless comments made at a work event can lead to an expensive headache for the employer. It involved a woman who successfully brought a claim for constructive dismissal, sex and pregnancy discrimination and harassment after gossip arose about the identity of the father of her unborn child, triggered by events which occurred at a Christmas party.
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