How do we think this will pan out?

[R1 Indy]

First off, this is nothing really to do with me(i dont even work there), but im just interested, and curious to what action the company could take.

Basically xmas party all paid for by the compmany including all drinks.

Some of the younger employees took the piss with shot after shot.

They Had a slight disagreement which resulted in 3 police cars, 2 police vans, an ambulance, 3 arrested, 1 taken to hospital with a broken jaw, 2 charged with assault.

oh and a rather pissed off and embarressed director.

Personally i think i would sack them for taking the company into dispepute?

but whats the general view?

And there will deffinatly be a slightly different atmosphere monday morning me thinks.

[bigandclever]

Well, there won't be a jolly up next year for a start

[Capita]

Gross misconduct, a couple of departures just in time for xmas and no xmas party next year.

[Gargamel]

I would expect anyone charged with assault to be dismissed for Gross misconduct.


I have been at one where one lad thought it would be a good idea to "get friendly" with the CEO's PA..... how wrong you can be.

Arrested (mostly for being drunk) and then refusing to give his name to the coppers.... phoned us from the police cell with "no idea what happened"

Still I thoughtfully packed his desk for him,...

[R1 Indy]

I think its guaranteed there wont be another, especially with free bar!

I think even if they get to keep there jobs, they won't be welcomed by the other employees!

[rog007]

"Free-flowing booze is a mistake. It is ludicrous to offer staff endless complimentary alcohol then discipline them for getting drunk". (Blackhurst, 2011. (Professional Manager, Winter 2011/12)).

The Director responsible for organising the event could be accused of lacking insight and judgement. If he were mine, he'd be under review (as would be my company-wide policy). If any staff have broken the law, they should be punished accordingly. On balance, I would possibly keep them on, but with strict caveats. I would still encourage staff functions, but would design them differently, such as limited free drinks and invite spouses/partners as these have a regulating effect on staff behaviour at these types of events.

[dingg]

no sackings IMO unless other underlying issues

stern talking to and no more sponsored piss ups

(if they sack the staff the director should go too)

[DSM2]

dingg said:

no sackings IMO unless other underlying issues

stern talking to and no more sponsored piss ups

(if they sack the staff the director should go too)

Yeah, not their fault they're aholes is it?

[Cyberprog]

IMHO Drinks vouchers at the bar are a far better idea. I've been to events with both, but IIRC last year the client's company (to whom I'm invited to the xmas do every year) said they got ripped off by the bar company for drinks.

[IrrElephant]

Can you update us with what does happen OP? Would be interested to see the outcome of this.

[deviant]

My partner works for a big mining company and through the summer especially there are a lot of sundowners on entirely paid for by the company. The xmas do is on in a couple of weeks which normally has around 1200 people attend and an entirely free / unrestricted bar and food. Normally partners are allowed to go to sundowners and the xmas do is always a +1 event.

I go to these things all the time and to be honest I have only seen a few people get carried away and make themselves sick but mining does have a bit of a drinking culture. I have never seen any trouble though.

The difference between these events and the one in the OP...Lots of free food and NO SPIRITS!! Absolutely madness allowing spirits to be served IMO. They seem to bring out the worst in some people and other people just cant control themselves enough to know when to stop drinking them or they get all over excited because the company is paying for the expensive stuff.