Health, Safety & Welfare
Reference to the UK is made in the information given below, on occasions, simply to explain how various issues are dealt with elsewhere or to provide examples of good practice.
Please click on www.ess.gov.je/hsi for detailed information concerning legal responsibilities, guidance on legislation and health and safety policies.
Christmas Party and the Festive Season
JACS Festive Season Advice
’Tis the season to be jolly ...’
As the festive season approaches and drinks gatherings and party invites start to arrive here are a few useful pointers that may minimize any risk without dampening the festive spirit.
Employers are reminded that if you hold a party (whether on or off the premises) you can be held responsible for the behaviour of your employees. Therefore it is worth taking a few sensible and reasonable steps now and remind employees of their part in ensuring a ’problem-free’ event. Such steps include:
- Inappropriate behaviour – warn staff that this is likely to be treated as a serious disciplinary offence and therefore may lead to dismissal;
- Harassment – remind staff that the company has zero tolerance of any actions that could constitute harassment – verbal, sexual, racial etc;
- Entertainment – if this is provided try to ensure that it is ’appropriate’ and therefore unlikely to cause offence;
- Alcohol – try to moderate the intake of this if possible, do not allow matters to get out of hand, ensure plenty of non-alcoholic drinks are available and if possible some food;
- Transport - either pre-book taxis/mini buses or ensure you have telephone numbers available for employees who may have consumed too much of the festive spirit and therefore should not be driving home – do remember your ’duty of care’ towards your employees;
- The ’Morning After’ – staff should be reminded that they should be at work the next day and that if there is reason to believe that any absence is due to over indulgence disciplinary action could be taken;
- Facebook etc - think about photographs taken at your event and where they could end up!
- The Photocopier! - photocopies of parts of someone’s anatomy – destroy them and not mention them again – do not put them on the notice-board!
A few simple early reminders could prevent issues at a later stage and ensure a good time is had by all.
Working with Visual Display Equipment
Working with Visual Display Equipment
Employees who use display screen equipment (DSE) in the workplace are subject to the requirements of the Display Screen Equipment Approved Code of Practice. A copy of this document can be viewed at the following link:
www.gov.je/SocialSecurity/HSI Type "DSE" in the search area.