OFFICE Christmas parties could lead to sexual harassment and employers must be ready to deal with it, warn Bournemouth employee relations advisors Jaluch.

Under vicarious liability rulings, employers are legally responsible for sexual harassment carried out by an employee during the course of their employment.

"If your event is prone to get a bit wild this year, clarify in plenty of time what is and is not acceptable behaviour," said Jaluch director Jackie King.

"Sexual harassment occurs at lots of different levels, and many people are put into uncomfortable and embarrassing situations at this time of year that simply shouldn't happen - and employers should properly investigate any incident reported."

Notices could be issued to staff in advance saying that sexual harassment will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action which could result in dismissal.

There were "moderate styles" of expressing this "which will not make the employer sound like a killjoy or a spy".

"Even outside working hours, the company should identify whether a situation might result in unacceptable behaviour and, if so, take steps to ensure the welfare of everyone is sufficiently protected."

Research from Momentum Financial Services has revealed that nearly half the working population - 13.2 million people - will attend a Christmas party.

Momentum's latest survey of office Christmas party indiscretions reveals that:

44 per cent admitted to dancing inappropriately;

31 per cent have kissed a colleague;

23 per cent have been sick in public;

22 per cent have been rude to the boss;

22 per cent admitted to indecently exposing a part of their anatomy.

In a sign that the economic slowdown may be beginning to bite, nearly half the workers surveyed had been asked to contribute to the cost of the party this year.

When asked whether they would rather attend the party or have the equivalent lump sum that the company would have spent on them, a third said they would rather take the cash.