Employers face legal risks if employees' Christmas party conduct gets out of hand, Laytons employment head Anita Coaster has warned.
Coaster said common party-related complaints included aggressive and intimidating behaviour, violence and sexual harassment.
She said Employment Tribunals almost always saw office Christmas parties as an extension of work, thus increasing the risk of legal action against employers.
"The general principle of law is that if an employee commits a wrongful or unlawful act during the course of his employment, the employer will almost inevitably be liable for the offending conduct," she said.
"The victim of the behaviour may seek redress against the employer."
