After last year’s festive flop, companies are keener than ever to have a proper get-together. But with the Omicron variant threatening to scupper plans, what are the health, safety and legal risks of doing so?
As this year’s party season rolls around, many employers will be keen to reward their staff with a proper Christmas bash. But with infection rates creeping back up, a new variant threatening to cause havoc and the government toying with the idea of introducing plan B restrictions in England, companies are divided on whether or not to go ahead with their much-anticipated Christmas plans. Google, Accenture, Facebook and EY are among the firms to have already ruled out an in-person party: disappointing news for those hoping for a ‘normal’ Christmas.
Thankfully, health and safety expert Ryan Exley, from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), can assuage concerns. Companies committed to hosting in-person celebrations can take measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission, he says, including hosting their party outdoors. “Outside space is known to be safer since it isn’t a contained area, whereas there’s a higher chance of contracting Covid inside,” he says.
But what if the weather outside is frightful? Outside events won’t be to everyone’s taste during the winter months, and realistically many firms are likely to go ahead with an indoor event anyway. In this case, Exley recommends firms “increase ventilation, complete testing prior to...
The rapper's agency said recent allegations shared online were fabricated, and filed a criminal complaint against the accuser. Rapper Yang Hong-won's agency has denied allegations that he cheated o...