It's that time of year again. Pre-party warnings and a chance to move the dial on inclusion.
HR teams are gearing up to issue the annual pre-party warnings about appropriate behaviour at the works Christmas bash. In the post-#metoo era some, like BDO, have reportedly gone so far as to appoint sober chaperones just to be on the safe side.
Once those measures are in place, how about trying a more subtle festive barometer of your team culture?
The family are coming to me this year from the far flung corners of Scotland and Wales, and I realised I had mentally begun to seat them around my somewhat overcrowded Christmas table. I won’t go so far as to impose place names - but it’ll be close. I’ll arrange them for maximum enjoyment and minimum angst, based on personalities and significant historical data (!).
For those of you planning a works Christmas lunch (or two), it’s worth doing your own mental table plan. Where would you seat your colleagues and why? Who’s next to you? And who isn’t? Who wouldn’t you pair up? What would make it go with fizz...or a flop? Who’s next to the boss? Do you think everyone in the team would do it the same if they were in charge?
Even if your works’ festive ‘do’ isn’t going to be like that, a moment's honest reflection on what it would look like if it was could be valuable. It’ll say something about the true state of the workplace dynamics and it might just prompt a New Year’s resolution or two: to chat some more; to clear some air; or to help repair a rift.
And I know exactly where to sit Auntie Joan after three sherries and a Tia Maria or two.
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Happy hour? A conversation about alcohol and work – culture, risk and belonging
From post-deal drinks to client events and team celebrations, alcohol is woven into workplace culture. Yet when something goes wrong, it’s rarely seen as ‘just a drink’.
With new duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment, and growing attention on workplace risk and inclusion, it’s time to take a more intentional look at how alcohol shapes workplace culture – and the risks it carries.
This short, focused webinar will explore:
• How alcohol contributes to conduct, harassment and reputational risk
• The assumptions we make about what’s normal, social or expected
• How alcohol intersects with inclusion, wellbeing and boundaries
• What to think about when conducting risk assessments and looking at policies
• Practical steps to build positive connection while protecting what matters
Speakers:
Helen Dallimore
Head of Training, Byrne Dean
An experienced facilitator, trainer and former employment lawyer, Helen works with organisations to strengthen leadership capability and embed respectful workplace behaviours. She brings particular expertise in creating inclusive cultures where people feel safe, respected and able to thrive.
Cicilia Wan
Principal Consultant, Byrne Dean
A former employment lawyer and experienced Headof Employee Relations in global financial services, Cicilia has seen first-hand how alcohol canaffect conduct at work. She brings deep expertise in leadership, culture and managing people risk.
Steven McCann
Founder and Director, MCG Consulting
A leading voice in workplace addiction and recovery inclusion, Steven advises organisations on addiction awareness, recovery-informed culture and social mobility. He has spoken at the Bank of England and works regularly with law societies, the Legal Services Board and institutions across law, finance and corporate sectors.
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