Page 23 - BOSS Today Issue 53

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ollowing a long period of not being Make sure that you are working with
Fable to hold meetings or events, many a venue that can be flexible in terms
will be looking forward to the festive of providing digital assistance or in
season and being able to physically meet reconfiguring spaces to ensure social
colleagues. However, companies should distancing. It is also a good idea to put
be cautious and consider government together a contingency plan.
recommendations – which could change
at any time – to make Christmas as Come up with creative
COVID safe as possible. Christmas activities
The following pointers may help steer Office Christmas celebrations often
you towards planning a safe and special involve a ‘Secret Santa’ or other similar
2021 Christmas party. activities and, despite the struggles with
COVID-19, companies can still participate
Keep up with government in these. You can consider having a
real-time updates virtual Secret Santa and adapt other

The pandemic is anything but predictable, activities so they can be held virtually.
and COVID-19 numbers keep fluctuating, It’s an opportunity to be creative and do
so it’s vital that you keep up with current something different.
government guidelines to keep employees
safe. You may need to limit numbers of guests
While there is no legal requirement to Finding sufficient space for your office
wear a face covering in enclosed public Christmas party will be one of the main
spaces, the government says it “expects challenges. If your company decides to
and recommends” people to wear them in settle for an indoor Christmas party, you
crowded areas. It’s wise to consider this may want to keep it small but unique.
when planning parties. The number of employees should be
within whatever limits are allowable at
Social distancing the time.
Almost all legal restrictions have been
lifted on the number of people you can Take advantage of technology
meet at home and in a public place, Technology has turned out to be the
whether indoors or outdoors. Capacity solution to many business operations
limits at private or public events no longer during the pandemic. Other options for
apply. The government says people should having a good and safe office Christmas
still “consider the risks of close contact”, party include holding a hybrid event. This
particularly if someone is clinically means you may have to separate your
vulnerable or not fully vaccinated. flock in two, with some employees being
Remember that when alcohol is on-site with others joining via Zoom
consumed an employee’s judgement may and other platforms. This gives you the
falter and you will need to consider what chance to include vulnerable individuals
you will do if this happens. who cannot attend the party physically.
Think about your venue For further information and advice,

Finding the right venue has always been please contact your regional HR
critical to the success of public events. Adviser. Details can be found at
Venue sourcing is likely to look a little www.bossfederation.com/HRAdviser
different these days because there are
many new factors to consider.

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