Office parties - are you still in the workplace if the party is not employer sanctioned

[mids2019]

A lot of previous posts indicate that an office party is still covered by employer behaviour policy etc. and so you could be in trouble if there are breaches at a work outing.

What happens though if large groups of workers decide to just go out for Christmas? Do any policies still apply? What are the criteria for a party or night out with colleagues to become a 'work event'?

hmm, i spose bad behaviour might bring the company into disrepute

Is that you Boris?

I'm hoping there's a juicy story behind this post - out with it OP!

I've known disciplinary action at organised work events and at after parties/other nights out but usually you'd hope there was no need for that.

The latter was colleague on colleague assault and it had to be brought into work because they were on a small team together and couldn't work together.

Obviously it depends what the issue is so spill!

I have known colleagues being disciplined on a night out that wasn’t a night out.

It’s always involved one employee doing something to another.

Not just like being excessively drunk or getting in a scrap with someone outside the company.

Missed a word out of the first sentence.

that wasn’t a company night out

If youre with people from work, act like youre in work. It is the safest way.

We have just had a reminder from work that a gathering of work colleagues even outside of work and not paid for by or on company time could be considered a work event and we should be aware of our behaviours. It is mostly related to our company drinks and drugs policy, but has ruffled a few feathers as lots of people have worked together for a long time and get together as friends.