Office holiday parties can be a joyful celebration of the year’s accomplishments.  But they can also give the gift of legal liability.  Employers should remember a few basic rules:

• If attendance is mandatory, non-exempt employees must be paid for their time.
• Non-exempt employees who “volunteer” to help with set-up or clean-up must be paid for their time.
• If alcohol is served, alternative transportation home should be offered to those who have overindulged.
• All prohibitions against sexual harassment and other harassment apply to employer-sponsored holiday parties.