HALLOWEEN WORKPLACE HORRORS – WHY EMPLOYERS SHOULD AVOID THEM

Employers are being warned that Halloween high jinks could prove very expensive for employers if an ill judged prank goes badly wrong.

Simon Bellm, a partner in the employment group at law firm DMH Stallard, explains…

“Employers will not want to be killjoys, but it would be wise to give staff a tactful reminder to make sure any practical jokes do not cause offence and do not create a safety risk.

“What is funny to one person can easily cause offence to another. If that offence is connected to a person’s sex, race, religious belief or any other protected characteristic the employer could be facing a discrimination claim.

“Similarly, if the joke goes wrong and somebody is hurt, it is the employer who is likely to be responsible for any claim.”