PC brigade target Christmas office party - General Discussion

Elaine Tomalski · 29-11-2006, 08:16

Quote:

Office Christmas parties face the axe after the Government's industrial relations watchdog warned bosses they face being sued for a raft of "politically correct" misdemeanours.

In an extraordinary advice pamphlet, Acas told firms they have a "duty of care" to drunken staff and could face crippling legal action if they do not get home safely.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...&icc=NEWS&ct=5

Where will it all end ?

El Guapo · 29-11-2006, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elaine Tomalski

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...&icc=NEWS&ct=5

Where will it all end ?

Ohhhhh come on it's the bloody Daily Mail what do you expect!

julesT · 29-11-2006, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elaine Tomalski

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...&icc=NEWS&ct=5

Where will it all end ?

Hahaha your just trying to give Mesostim a huge phone bill before Xmas

natsuki*head · 29-11-2006, 08:24

What is Politically Correct about looking after your staff's welfare?

Manko · 29-11-2006, 08:27

On a bit of a crusade lately aren't we, Elaine? Am I allowed to use the word 'crusade' these days?

julesT · 29-11-2006, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsuki*head

What is Politically Correct about looking after your staff's welfare?

Thing is it's adults your dealing with not kids, if your out on a party and people are getting drunk which is what alot of people do, you can't go around controlling them like kids.
If an accident happens it seems the employers are liable, it's probably hyped up more but some employers just can't be doing with the hassle.

natsuki*head · 29-11-2006, 08:36

Some of the things they suggest is making sure drunken staff get home, is that so unreasonable?

Also what is PC about it?

julesT · 29-11-2006, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsuki*head

Some of the things they suggest is making sure drunken staff get home, is that so unreasonable?

Also what is PC about it?

Getting staff home is fair but then you have.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

DON'T: Give meat or alcohol as prizes in case they offend.
DO: Make sure there is a mix of music to avoid age discrimination claims.

Love the age discrimination one what a joke.

Manko · 29-11-2006, 08:41

"DON'T: Let staff who have been drinking drive home."

It's Political Correctness gone mad!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!

natsuki*head · 29-11-2006, 08:42

DO: Make sure there is a mix of music to avoid age discrimination claims

Or in other words try and make sure everyone has a good time.

Nine Bob Note · 29-11-2006, 08:45

DO: Whinge about political correctness and compensation culture going mad.

DON'T: Put your money where your mouth is (ahem) and ban ambulance chasing legal firms from advertising in your media titles.

julesT · 29-11-2006, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsuki*head

DO: Make sure there is a mix of music to avoid age discrimination claims

Or in other words try and make sure everyone has a good time.

The point is it say's if you don't play a mixture you can be liable to an age discrimination claim! that's pathetic

Holly Golightly · 29-11-2006, 08:53

I wouldnt call it 'politically correct' as such.

But in these litigious days, these employers clearly have to be watching their backs.

Its sad that its come to this. We're nearly as bad as the USA. Everyone is sueing everyone.

Lorna1000 · 29-11-2006, 08:55

*red flashing lights*

Nee Naw Nee Naw Nee Naw Nee Naw Woo Woo Woo Woo Woo

Make way people – It’s the PC Brigade!!!!!!!!!

natsuki*head · 29-11-2006, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by julesT

The point is it say's if you don't play a mixture you can be liable to an age discrimination claim! that's pathetic

Yes it is but its not an example of Political Correctness, gone mad or otherwise. In these litigious times its good sense.

Holly Golightly · 29-11-2006, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsuki*head

litigious

oooh you stole my word

29-11-2006, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elaine Tomalski

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...&icc=NEWS&ct=5

Where will it all end ?

I just saw it on the BBC news. What a stupid idea.

Even worse you will get staff who will fall into a ditch and then actually have the audacity to sue their bosses. What happens if, whilst at a staff party someone incurs some good luck and maybe meets their future spouse or buys a lottery ticket that wins? Shouldn't the bosses then sue for compensation because they have played a role in making good things happen in the lives of the workers?

Raring_to_go · 29-11-2006, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly Golightly

oooh you stole my word

I think we are on the same wavelength.....

I see the legal profession rubbing their hands with glee.......James.....order another Bentley.....sorry make that two.......

kevraff · 29-11-2006, 09:10

I remember seeing on CNN a couple of years ago that a woman who drove home from her office Xmas party - and was paralysed in a car crash - succesfully sued her employer for negligence.

Bearing this in mind I'd say that some of the advice given is quite sound and not 'political correctness'.

Lorna1000 · 29-11-2006, 09:13

People.

ACAS are an independant body set up to reduce the number of people taking their employers to tribunal and therefore costing the tax payer more money. They are the good guys.

They are not making the rules - they are advising employers on how to avoid litigation.

1: People are already suing employers left right and centre for Health and Safety mishaps - falls, injuries etc. Acas are warning businesses that they could still be sued if the mishap happens at the christmas party. Not completely unforseable - especially if the company is providing free booze.

2: The Age Discrimination laws are as yet untested - plenty of people will be looking for excuses to test them - hence the advice that if employers want to be safe rather than sorry they should err on the side of caution.

For an employer to be sued for playing Eminem rather than Cliff Richard at the Xmas party it would take a) a dusgruntled employee who wanted to sue and b) a lawyer who thought they could win the case.

These are the ones you should be moaning about - lawyers who want to win stupid cases and the clients who press them. Everything else is Daily Mail nonsense

pickwick · 29-11-2006, 09:13

I see the Daily Mail didn't manage to find any actual companies that this was going to affect in any way. And you can be sure they tried.

There are plenty of ridiculously overwrought government advice leaflets and TV spots. Everyone mostly ignores them, as they'll ignore this one - they know it's just the government covering their backs.

Purity · 29-11-2006, 09:20

These warnings have been around for years. It's common sense that if a company hosts a Christmas party they should make an effort to ensure their staff are able to get home safely. There will always be people looking to make a few quid by taking legal action, bosses just have to be careful and try to minimise the chances they'd succeed.

Actually, I got a parking ticket at our office party last year, wonder if I should sue..........

akrigg · 29-11-2006, 10:00

So its got absolutely nothing to do with political correctness.

Strange how its people who are obsessed with "political correctness gone mad" who have also just been told by a friend or relation that a local school have banned baa-baa black sheep - I'm sure that its just a coincidence though.

MrsHurley · 29-11-2006, 10:06

Does this mean I can get work to pay for my taxi home from the work Christmas party?

cuppy cake · 29-11-2006, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsHurley

Does this mean I can get work to pay for my taxi home from the work Christmas party?

Now that's what I call clever thinking!

29-11-2006, 08:24	#4
natsuki*head Banned User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bermingum Services: Violent Domination Posts: 3,168	What is Politically Correct about looking after your staff's welfare?

29-11-2006, 08:27	#5
Manko Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the first boat out of here Posts: 4,185	On a bit of a crusade lately aren't we, Elaine? Am I allowed to use the word 'crusade' these days?

29-11-2006, 08:36	#7
natsuki*head Banned User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bermingum Services: Violent Domination Posts: 3,168	Some of the things they suggest is making sure drunken staff get home, is that so unreasonable? Also what is PC about it?

29-11-2006, 08:41	#9
Manko Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the first boat out of here Posts: 4,185	"DON'T: Let staff who have been drinking drive home." It's Political Correctness gone mad!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

29-11-2006, 08:42	#10
natsuki*head Banned User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bermingum Services: Violent Domination Posts: 3,168	DO: Make sure there is a mix of music to avoid age discrimination claims Or in other words try and make sure everyone has a good time.

29-11-2006, 08:45	#11
Nine Bob Note Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Peoples Republic of Lancashire Services: Sky, Freeserve Broadband Posts: 2,849	DO: Whinge about political correctness and compensation culture going mad. DON'T: Put your money where your mouth is (ahem) and ban ambulance chasing legal firms from advertising in your media titles.

29-11-2006, 08:53	#13
Holly Golightly Banned User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Glasgow/Dundee Posts: 4,239 Blog Entries: 1	I wouldnt call it 'politically correct' as such. But in these litigious days, these employers clearly have to be watching their backs. Its sad that its come to this. We're nearly as bad as the USA. Everyone is sueing everyone.

29-11-2006, 08:55	#14
Lorna1000 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,138	red flashing lights Nee Naw Nee Naw Nee Naw Nee Naw Woo Woo Woo Woo Woo Make way people – It’s the PC Brigade!!!!!!!!!

29-11-2006, 09:10	#19
kevraff Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Birmingham Services: 128k ISDN Posts: 2,348	I remember seeing on CNN a couple of years ago that a woman who drove home from her office Xmas party - and was paralysed in a car crash - succesfully sued her employer for negligence. Bearing this in mind I'd say that some of the advice given is quite sound and not 'political correctness'.

29-11-2006, 09:13	#20
Lorna1000 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,138	People. ACAS are an independant body set up to reduce the number of people taking their employers to tribunal and therefore costing the tax payer more money. They are the good guys. They are not making the rules - they are advising employers on how to avoid litigation. 1: People are already suing employers left right and centre for Health and Safety mishaps - falls, injuries etc. Acas are warning businesses that they could still be sued if the mishap happens at the christmas party. Not completely unforseable - especially if the company is providing free booze. 2: The Age Discrimination laws are as yet untested - plenty of people will be looking for excuses to test them - hence the advice that if employers want to be safe rather than sorry they should err on the side of caution. For an employer to be sued for playing Eminem rather than Cliff Richard at the Xmas party it would take a) a dusgruntled employee who wanted to sue and b) a lawyer who thought they could win the case. These are the ones you should be moaning about - lawyers who want to win stupid cases and the clients who press them. Everything else is Daily Mail nonsense

29-11-2006, 09:13	#21
pickwick Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Gender: Female Location: a wretched hive Services: scum and liberalism Posts: 14,534 Blog Entries: 1	I see the Daily Mail didn't manage to find any actual companies that this was going to affect in any way. And you can be sure they tried. There are plenty of ridiculously overwrought government advice leaflets and TV spots. Everyone mostly ignores them, as they'll ignore this one - they know it's just the government covering their backs.

29-11-2006, 09:20	#22
Purity Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Coast Posts: 10,452	These warnings have been around for years. It's common sense that if a company hosts a Christmas party they should make an effort to ensure their staff are able to get home safely. There will always be people looking to make a few quid by taking legal action, bosses just have to be careful and try to minimise the chances they'd succeed. Actually, I got a parking ticket at our office party last year, wonder if I should sue..........

29-11-2006, 10:00	#23
akrigg Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Services: NTL Cable Posts: 4,881	So its got absolutely nothing to do with political correctness. Strange how its people who are obsessed with "political correctness gone mad" who have also just been told by a friend or relation that a local school have banned baa-baa black sheep - I'm sure that its just a coincidence though.

29-11-2006, 10:06	#24
MrsHurley Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: overseas Posts: 379	Does this mean I can get work to pay for my taxi home from the work Christmas party?