Public sector employees will have little Christmas cheer this year

Employees in the public sector are unlikely to enjoy a Christmas party or lunch this year, showing that cost cutting has hit hard and employers in this sector feel it is impossible to justify any spend on employees to mark the festive period. 

• Christmas and New Year working arrangements 2011/12 We have seen a slightly more positive reaction to Christmas celebrations this year from employers in the private sector, with a significant proportion reporting an increase in spend for Christmas parties or lunches. 

Also

Christmas and New Year working arrangements 2010/11 XpertHR research found that employment law considerations often take a back seat when employers plan their Christmas and New Year working arrangements. 

Alcohol misuse during the Christmas period: overview Employers need to be aware of the potential consequences for their business of alcohol misuse by employees, which may increase over the Christmas period. Reinforcing a clear alcohol policy may help to reduce the incidence of alcohol misuse. 

Alcohol misuse during the Christmas period: employers' checklist We continue a series of articles on dealing with alcohol misuse during the Christmas period with a checklist that sets out some practical steps that employers can take to reduce, and deal with, alcohol misuse in the workplace, which may increase in the run-up to Christmas. 

Alcohol misuse during the Christmas period: case study This case study looks at how employers should deal with a situation in which employees return to work after their lunch break under the influence of alcohol. Employers that have a clear policy on alcohol use will find dealing with alcohol misuse a great deal easier than those that fail to make clear their rules on alcohol consumption during working hours.