Santa is hard at work this time of year, as are a lot of other businesses in our home state of Alaska. A lot of people are thinking this time of year about baking cookies, throwing parties, giving gifts and more. You may be thinking about or have already planned your holiday party and other holiday activities. Did you think of safety? Thankfully, MedPhysicals Plus, the occupational safety and employer service gurus, are here to help Santa and all his helpers stay safe! Here are some areas to think about when planning your holiday activities: Inclusivity, food allergies, safe decorations, and party liabilities
Inclusivity
The holiday season is often filled with joy, but it can also bring memories of absent loved ones and heightened loneliness. It’s important to check in with your coworkers during this time. December hosts various celebrations like Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s. However, remember that not everyone may wish to partake in these festivities. Effective communication and planning are essential to ensuring no one feels excluded. Embrace this opportunity to explore and learn about different cultural practices and traditions from around the world. Such interactions might introduce you to new culinary delights or fun activities, adding a unique and enjoyable dimension to your office environment. Discover more on this subject here.
Holiday Foods and Allergies
Approximately 10% of Americans have food allergies, while Gallup’s Consumption Habits poll indicates 4% are vegetarian and 1% vegan, and it’s also crucial to acknowledge those with religious dietary restrictions.
“Ask a Muslim, a diabetic, a celiac, a dairy-free, a vegan and an alcoholic in recovery what experiences they’ve had at food and beverage events… It will be eye-opening;” this is a quote from an article from The Society for Human Resources Management. They have more tips on this subject around holiday meal planning here.
Safe Decorations
While decorating can be enjoyable, as an employer, it’s vital to prioritize safety and minimize risks or liabilities. Ensure employee safety by discouraging the use of desks or chairs for hanging decorations; instead, provide ladders and offer ladder safety training. Be mindful of the decorations you choose, especially regarding their placement near sprinklers and alarm systems, and avoid obstructing walkways. Critically assess the safety of the space, including the type of lights used. Here are additional tips for maintaining a safe environment when decorating the workplace for the holidays.
Avoid Legal Action This Holiday Season
Drinking can be fun, but having options and being safe will make the holiday cheer higher. Besides jeopardizing the safety of employees, overserving and company functions can result in harm to employees, a decrease in company morale, and even legal suits. Don’t ask staff to be the designated drivers, but instead arrange reimbursements with ride share options or coordinate a shuttle to get employees home safely. Set limits and think of the location and proximity of the party to other places that serve alcohol afterwards. Here are more tips on safe holiday parties.
Santa and the North Pole
Just a short distance from our Fairbanks office is the North Pole, home to Santa. Did you know this wasn’t always Santa’s home? The original St. Nicholas lived in modern day Demre Turkey. “St. Nicholas’s migration to the North Pole is due most directly to Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist who submitted 33 Christmas drawings to Harper’s Weekly magazine between 1863 and 1886, one of which featured a village called “Santa Claussville, N.P. (Oceanwide Expedtions). Now you can visit this pole, see Santa’s village and participate in other Christmas traditions.
We hope you had some fun and learned about safety. Want to gift your employees occupational safety this season? MedPhysicals Plus is standing by and ready to make your holiday season secure. While you are waiting for your next visit with us, check out our article on things to do in Fairbanks, the close neighbor of the North Pole.