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Festive Insights

3 December 2025

The festive season is a time for joy, connection and celebration. Work social events, whether Christmas parties, drinks after work or team dinners are likely to be legally considered an extension of work. That means that employers can be held liable for misconduct that occurs at these gatherings.
 

Video 1: Understanding the Risks

In the first of our festive season videos, Partners Nikola Southern and Sandra Paul, with Senior Associate Ben Atkin, outline the risks employers face around sexual misconduct at work-related social events. They show how seemingly ordinary behaviour can amount to harassment or assault, especially when alcohol blurs boundaries. The video highlights criminal liability, reputational damage through social media, and regulatory consequences, while also stressing that Christmas parties are legally an extension of the workplace and that, since October 2024, employers have a proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment.

 

Video 2: Carrying Out a Risk Assessment

In the second video of our festive season series, Senior Associate Francesca Lopez explains how employers can fulfil their duty to prevent sexual harassment by conducting a risk assessment. She outlines why this step is essential, based on guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and how it helps anticipate and mitigate risks at work-related social events.

 

Video 3: Ten Practical Tips for Safer Celebrations

In the final video of our festive season series, Legal Director Bina Patel outlines ten practical steps employers can take to mitigate the risks of misconduct at workplace social events. Building on the legal duties and risk assessment covered in the first two videos, this session focuses on clear, actionable measures.

Together, these tips provide employers with a practical toolkit to keep celebrations safe, inclusive, and compliant.

 

Nikola Southern

Partner

+44 (0)20 7814 1220

nsouthern@kingsleynapley.co.uk

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Sandra Paul

Partner

+44 (0)20 7814 1259

spaul@kingsleynapley.co.uk

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Sexual misconduct in the workplace - Knowledge hub

Sexual misconduct in the workplace - Knowledge hub

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