The Risks of Corporate Outings

When it comes to workplace social events many companies these days will give at least a cursory thought to ensuring alcohol is served responsibly, food is served hygienically, behaviour standards are communicated and that the actual event or activity does not expose workers or their loved ones to a foreseeable risk of injury or death.  Or so you would think, in this day and age.

I have heard of a number of disturbing incidents which have occurred in a workplace social context, undoubundoubtedlycreate chaos for HR on a Monday morning and which expose an organisation to unacceptable levels of legal,financial and personal risk.

Just a a few examples which spring to mind include:

• A worker who was  run over by a golf cart driven by an intoxicated work colleague who reversed up and ‘accidently’ ran over them again
• A worker who made racist comments towards the wife of a work colleague resulting in a physical altercation and a mini riot
• An alcohol fueled disagreement with a boat captain which a worker thought should be settled with a knife
• A spouse verbally abusing and throwing table centrepieces at those who dared speak while their loved one gave a speech
• A very intoxicated spouse aggressively lap dancing the wife of a senior manager
• Workers setting fire to the party venue
• Workers falling down stairs
• Workers driving home drunk
• Injuries from amusement park rides, skirmish, jet boating etc.
• Food poisoning resulting in 20+ sick calls from employees the next day.

The above events may well justify the conclusion that workpace social events could be the last basstion of unbridled workplace risk taking and hooliganism.

When it comes to workplace social events, safety people get a bad wrap.  While those planning such events are generally focussed on ensuring everyone enjoys themselves within the given budget and that it is a day or evening to remember, the safety manager is generally trying to talk the organiser out of skirmish, skydiving or an unlimited bar tab at the risk of being labeled the fun police.

Allowing workplace social events to occur with a hands off , do whatever you want in your own time approach ignores the potential for injuries and the associated legal and financial risks involved. In some cases workers could also be eligible for workers compensation for injuries or illnesses sustained.   It also has the potential to undo all of the hard work invested into developng a safety first culture in the workplace.  You cannot have a zero harm, target zero or safety first motto promoted during work hours and then permit a high level of risk acceptance or lack of planning at workplace social events.  Those that take risks or conduct themselves with reckless abandon generally do not turn this behaviour off when they get to work.  Therefore,if you encourage employees to take part in risky activities or without accountability in a social setting, expect some carry over on Monday morning.

If you are going to promote a safety first culture in your workplace, you need to be serious about it.  The behavioural change required is significant, and sending mixed messages to employees on where the company stands by failing to take steps to assess and reduce risks at such events is a bad idea in terms of achieving a strong safety culture.

So when planning your next company social event,run it past the safety person,try not to mention the words ‘fun police’ and come Monday you will thank them.  Don’t make it a corporate outing you’ld rather forget.

At HR Business Direction we can assist with identifying, assessing and controlling risks involved with your business.  Contact us here.

Christina Willcox MHSc; PostGradDip OHS; BBus(HRM)
Workplace Health & Safety Specialist
christina.willcox@hrbd.com.au
07 3890 2066
www.hrbd.com.au