The Office Party – Are You Covered?

Thanks to the pandemic, you were forced to cancel the holiday party at your office last year. But because your company has come to grips with how to navigate around COVID-19, your company holiday party has been given the green light. Your employees always look forward to the event and you welcome the opportunity show your gratitude, by ensuring the affair is upscale and entertaining. You’ve decided to hold the event at your corporate office, and your employees from around the nation are looking forward to flying in.

Although the focus will be on the merriment of the holidays, it’s also important to make sure you that have the coverage you require to protect your business.

Your general liability insurance will cover most issues. However, you should make sure you speak to your Enscoe Long insurance agent, to assess any additional areas where you may be left vulnerable.

Have you considered what type of coverage you may need if one of your employees injures themselves, while decorating the office or by simply attending the party? Talk to your Enscoe Long insurance agent about this issue.  Your agent will help you understand the complexity of workplace injuries at the office vs. a company sponsored event at restaurant, hotel, or banquet hall, etc.  If you do decide to host your party at a restaurant, this allows you to share the liability with the restaurant or hotel—although you may still be liable in many cases.

If you are going to be serving alcohol at the party, you could need additional coverage. This coverage could be an add-on to your general liability insurance. You may also want to consider special event insurance that specifically covers alcohol related issues. It’s also important to note that special event insurance also includes coverage for the cost of the party,  if the event has to be canceled due to weather or other circumstances beyond your control.

But what about a sexual harassment claim? You would hope that it would never happen at your company, but it’s your job to make sure you have protected your business from any threat, no matter how distasteful.

The best way to avoid a holiday party incident is to set your expectations ahead of time. Make sure you communicate those expectations to your employees via the holiday invitation, an email or a company newsletter.

Things you may want to consider:

  • Make sure your employees understand that you have a zero-tolerance policy, with respect to discrimination or sexual harassment.
  • Set the tone of the party by making sure that your management team does not drink in excess.
  • Offer an Uber, Lyft or cab service to all your employees free of charge.
  • Hire professional bartenders to watch out for anyone who is drinking too much.
  • Contact your maintenance team to review any areas that may be a cause of concern, such as icy sidewalks or any other areas that are under construction, etc.

The best way to ensure a safe, fun and relaxing holiday party is through careful thought and preparation. The Enscoe Long team will be there to give you the peace of mind you need, so you can enjoy the party too. To get started, drop us an email and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to protect what matters most. Happy Holidays!