Your Holiday Party Security (and Liability) To-Do List

address alcohol and sexual harassment, cover you at a party. "The places where liability will arise at a

party are not the places you're already policing," Young says. The Party Security Memo (see top of page)

will include rules and definitive expectations of party-goers. Young understands that such a memo

could be seen as a major buzz kill before the party starts but says there are ways to craft the memo so

it's clear and pleasant.

to keep your employees safe and secure, which could include inspecting the facilities, locating and

examining fire exits, and understanding the surveillance policy in place at the hosting site. Do not be

afraid to demand to inspect safety certifications to make sure they're all up to date. After all, you're

paying them to have all that in order.

Lay out the marshals' responsibilities for the evening—controlling disruptive guests, diffusing

confrontations, eyeing the winter weather, making sure intoxicated guests get home safely and

ushering lingerers out at the end of the night.

shuttle bus from the party back to the office ­parking lot," Young says. Of course, that leaves some

tipsy (and worse) employees to then drive home. Plan to have enough money to get people to their

front doors.

potential problem guests (such as troublemaking spouses). Know which workers aren't getting along,

and brief the marshals.

pretty well aware of their problems; they can't be ignored," Young says.

coverage? If you hire security, what's their insurance? Brush up on this before your broker tells you that

a loophole means they won't cover the damage caused at your party. Young knows of companies that

tried to avoid liability issues by smudging the line of responsibility. Two employees plan the party and

the company donates minimal resources so that, if something happens, insurance investigators (or

potential plaintiffs) would have a hard time determining whose party it was. Young says: "If it's a party

management knows about and has any connection to, financial or otherwise, it's an office party.

Therefore, take charge."