Let’s be honest, most people’s behaviour at a work Christmas party isn’t always perfect. Not to mention, there are a few things that many of us have indulged in at a work event that are best forgotten. However, while most bad habits are pretty minor, experts are warning workers of the habits that could land you into trouble with HR and in some cases leave you with a fine!
Here, Max Moen, Head of People and Culture at Northerner, reveals three common habits that could land Brits in trouble with HR, and even lead to a fine.
£200 fine for common habit!
It’s illegal to smoke in virtually any workplace in the UK due to smoke-free legislation, which came into force in 2007, with offenders receiving an instant £200 fine. It’s bad news for employers too, as they’d also receive a £2000 fine for failing to uphold the rules should an employee be caught smoking. While vaping is not currently illegal, most workplaces have rules against the use of e-cigarettes, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
If you don’t want to leave the building to smoke, then try an alternative such as nicotine pouches, as these are smoke-free and more discreet – allowing you to enjoy nicotine without having to leave the office.
Slow down on the drinks
After-work drinks or events might be great for company culture, but offices should be careful before fuelling the party with too much booze. Being caught drunk or acting inappropriately in the street after leaving work can result in a fixed penalty notice and even lead to an arrest.
If you’re caught being drunk and disorderly, you could face a fine of up to £80 from a fixed penalty notice, and more serious cases can be prosecuted in court, with fines up to £1,000.
Don’t dare to overshare
If you’re hosting a work party away from the office, sharing company information such as client details, financials, or upcoming announcements may be a breach of data protection or against the rules set out in your employee handbook. While it’s usually the employer who faces prosecution for data protection or GDPR infringements, you could face disciplinary action or even be fired. So, next time you want to share gossip outside of the workplace, you might want to think twice.
