Posted By Bill Morrison This year we will be holding a company wide Christmas Party, open to all 280 employees. This is going to be held on a Monday night and will go on until 2am. The problem we have is that we are operating a normal 7.30am start the next morning. We have requested a later start for all operations staff that are due to start at 7.30am but this has been refused at present. My concern is not that alcohol will consumed that night, but we expect staff to get to work and perform their normal duties the next day. Does anyone have any thoughts on this issue, what should we be looking at? Thanks Bill

Posted By Geoff Burt Right on Paul. That's what I like - the practical element. Eliminate or reduce the risk where possible. Geoff

Posted By Keith Archer. Bill, Have you thought about having the party in early January, the only downside being this is that it may not be seen as a Christmas party? The benefits though are that you should have no problems booking for a Friday/Saturday venue and it will be cheaper. Our company adopted this method a few years ago and we now don’t just enjoy a free meal but well within the same budget we now also have a free bar included resulting in the company saving money and employees get P**** for now’t into the bargain. Overall a win, win situation and no employees with hangovers in the workplace next morning. Cheers Keith

Posted By Ken Taylor This will mean that anyone consuming more than 5 units of alcohol may be under its influence for the next morning's work (unless this was all during the early part of the party). We know you cannot change the date; but are there any other variable factors that could be changed (drinks, employees, type of work, etc)? If not, I'd want to spell out the risk to management and leave the 'ball in their court'.