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Party Up—or Party Down?
The Worst Hangover May Come with a Lawsuit!
The only thing I don’t like about office parties . . . is having to look for a new job the next day!
—Phyllis Diller, Comedienne
Dear Nan:
Lucky me! My job description was just expanded to include two major all-company events: The summer picnic and the annual holiday party. I’m actually excited about these new responsibilities (I love parties), and I want to use my unlimited budget to plan two splashy events. But I’ve heard of past events where some “unprofessional” behavior occurred, so I wish to avoid any such disastrous circumstances or morning-after lawsuits. I know the rules have changed a lot from the lampshade-on-the-head office parties of yesteryear. Can you give me some advice that won’t land the planner (me) in hot water or have me labeled as a “wet blanket”?
—Randy in Altoona, PA
Good for you for choosing the high road, Randy. Your caution may spare you and your coworkers a lot of grief. It may also save your company the cost of lawsuits filed by the victims of party “fun” and the expense of recruiting new hires to replace those who quit in disgust or embarrassment.
To see how far we’ve come in these matters, rent the 1950s flick The Apartment, in which Jack Lemmon plays a fledgling accounting clerk in a New York City advertising company, and Shirley MacLaine plays the “elevator girl.” In the midst of the turmoil experienced by executives (all married males, of course), who are sleeping with the ...
