You might want to rethink that slightly offensive joke you've been saving for the office Christmas Party.
OXFORD COUNTY - Offices across Oxford County will be celebrating the holidays this year with a Christmas party.
Canada's Leading Employment and Labour lawyer Howard Hewitt is offering up some advice that employees and managers should consider.
"If someone is still foolish enough to put up a mistletoe, don't use it, no mixed dancing, drink tickets and make sure the policy is you can not have more than 2 drink tickets and you cannot provide your drink tickets to someone else."
Hewitt says he also has some advice for employees.
"Don't ask out your co-workers, if you have had a crush on someone all year and you think it might be reciprocated, don't find out, date outside the workplace, that is my best advice. Don't tell any crude or sexual jokes, don't tell any jokes that are homophobic or racist."
Hewitt says employers can be liable if their employees get out of hand at these parties.
Here is the list of things that employees and management should consider;
- Don't get drunk and belligerent and decide to give your co-workers a piece of your mind
- Getting dressed up as Santa and arming yourself with Mistletoe does not give you a license to get ‘extra friendly’ with co-workers. What might seem like a well-intentioned hug can be grounds for harassment.
- Provide taxi chits - allowing employees to drive drunk after a work event can lead to a hefty lawsuit if they get into an accident.
- Invite the spouses – it’s often the best way to quash pent up amorous intentions among co-workers
- Ban alcohol or limit drinks to two tickets each

PJHL Playoff Recap - May 7th, 2026
OCFA Honours Awards of Excellence Recipients
Frost Advisory for Oxford County
Watering Restrictions in Effect in Oxford County
Realtors Care Food Drive Returns to Oxford County
Oxford County Celebrates McHappy Day
Drugs and Weapons Seized in Woodstock
Impaired Driver Charged in Paris
UPDATE 2 : Man Arrested in Suspicious Death Investigation
WOWC Well Represented at Queen's Park
Environmental Committee Thriving in Oxford County
Red Dress Day Vigil Happening in Woodstock
Freaky Friday Set to Hit the Stage
Interview with the Mayor - May 4th, 2026
Emergency Preparedness Week Hits Oxford County
Retirement Coming within United Way Oxford
Oxford OPP Lay Charges After Warrant Execution
Camping Season is Open at Pittock
Application Window Open for Oxford County Grants Program
PJHL Preview - Schmalz Cup Final
Comments
Add a comment