Rob Sider Quoted in Canadian HR Reporter Article About the Risks of Alcohol Misuse at Holiday Parties for Employers

Lawson Lundell lawyer Rob Sider, KC, was quoted in an article by Canadian HR Reporter titled, 'Why it pays to be a Grinch with holiday parties.' The article discusses the risks and best practices to avoid liability with work events. Some of the risks include potential accidents, lack of responsibility at off-site events, and sexual harassment claims. 

“Probably 95% of bad behaviour or problems at holiday parties are driven by alcohol,” Rob explains. “You should not be having a party at your office where there's just a whole bunch of... open liquor that's available for anybody. You're just begging for problems.” 

Risk reduction strategies emphasised in the article include picking an appropriate venue, limiting alcohol consumption, accommodating alcoholism, handling complaints carefully and swiftly, and using appropriate disciplinary measures in the event of an incident. 

Read the full Canadian HR Reporter article here.

Rob Sider, KC, is the head of the Labour, Employment & Human Rights Group at Lawson Lundell. The Group advises employers in all aspects of workplace law in both the provincial and federal sectors, including labour relations, employment law, collective bargaining, wrongful dismissals, human rights, employment standards, pension and benefits litigation, employment equity, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, privacy issues and business immigration.

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