Reminder to HR: Holiday parties are lawsuits waiting to happen

Published Updated 3 Min Read

Colleagues with Santa hats toast with champagne glasses.
Vasyl from AdobeStock

It’s the season for company holiday parties — and potential legal nightmares that can turn a festive celebration into an HR headache. 

Executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas found that 57% of companies planned on having in-person holiday parties last year. As more companies push for in-person engagement and bonding, that number will likely grow. Yet the opportunity to let loose means a greater risk of behavior like harassment and discrimination, notes Michael Schmidt, a labor and employment attorney at Cozen O’Connor.  

Deanna Cuadra
Senior Reporter

Deanna Cuadra is a senior reporter at Employee Benefit News. Her work covers healthcare, U.S. policy and reform, challenges faced by women and parents in the workplace and innovation in work culture … Read full bio


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