by Toni Shibayama
A quick check of the calendar and we can see it’s time to discuss the dreaded 2023 Country Club Party Season, an event that very often can make or break any employee and have HR Directors pulling out their hair. Sure, we’ve all done something we wish we hadn’t at a holiday party, but thank heavens there were no phone cameras in 1985.
Here are some things club members and employees should absolutely not discuss at a holiday party:
“Did you watch the presidential debates?” Politics, like the news, can be divisive, and the holiday party is about togetherness. Avoid anything that could be incendiary in any way, shape or form.
“I had some thoughts about our most important member.” Don’t take advantage of the party atmosphere to “nuzzle up” to a Club General Manager and talk shop. And likewise, bosses shouldn’t be checking in on their employees’ looming deadlines.
“I want a raise.” Blindsiding your boss with salary demands in public, at a party, while woofing down fruit cake, will only make you look like one.
“I heard Jim has a thing for Pam.” Why is it whenever someone has that third drink at a holiday party they think they are back in Junior High? Not the place.
“So, do you celebrate Christmas?” Do not discuss religion. Unless you work for a church. Or are a Jehovah’s Witness.
“Oh man, this hernia is killing me.” It’s not necessary to go into detail about your medical history while navigating the buffet line. And trust me, nobody cares that your recent surgery is on YouTube.
“What are you earning these days?” Steer clear of asking your co-worker how much is salary is. Not only is it rude, but what if he makes more than you… for doing less?
“I can’t wait to duck out of here early.” Consider how rude these statements may come across to the people who spent time and effort organizing the party.
It’s exactly like the reasons we’ve outlined that most clubs ponder the risks associated with having a holiday celebration. And it’s also the reason that a Club needs to take preventative measures while planning their holiday celebration.
Know your team and the risk. Think about past behaviors and the potential risk that could be in store for your Club. Sure we need to create fun and memorable memories for our team members, but a minefield of risk needs to be carefully navigated to avoid a mishap that could haunt a Club for years to come, such as:
Harassment – What if an employee sexually assaults a co-worker? Flirtations behavior now impacts the working relationship. When a manager decides to tell another employee they have romantic feelings for them, a member crosses the line in good fun and the employee feels uncomfortable with the prospect seeing them at a later time
Accidents – dancing and alcohol– What could go wrong? Could you have a slip, fall, laceration or even someone intoxicated getting behind the wheel?
Theft – missing wallet, iPhone, or keys… – A party is the perfect opportunity to do the sleight of hand trick over all of the tables.
Favoritism – Are the cool kids keeping to themselves or all of the team members being friendly with other from different departments. Or could this further protect the one that is considered the golden child that gets away with murder in the workplace?
Under the influencc – Are the cool kids keeping to themselves or all of the team members being friendly with other from different departments. Or could this further protect the one that is considered the golden child that gets away with murder in the workplace?
Club GMs, HR Directors, members and employees need to remember these rules the next time they have a few too many and think the boss’ wife looks like a Kadashian, or plant their butt on the copy machine. Because if any of that happens, chances are that person may be thinking about what they did while standing in the unemployment line in 2024… or facing the prospect of being on the wrong end of a lawsuit.
toni Shibayama is a Broker/Risk Consultant for S&K Insurance in Southern California. She has more than 15 years experience in risk management, job safety, Workers’ Compensation, wellness and HR consulting. Toni is also the author of “The Private Club General Manager’s Big Game Playbook.”
She can be reached at toni@sk-insurance.com and by phone at 213.627.5204.
