Christmas compensation claims for office chair racing crashes

While we all rant and rave about the office Christmas party and get overly excited about a trip to a local well known Italian restaurant chain, the news that many companies are cancelling the office Christmas party is really a blessing in disguise. "Bah Humbug" I hear you say. However, hear me out. Not only will it save on the countless personal injury compensation claims that are made following Christmas party shenanigans, but also on the inevitable embarrassments that also are guaranteed to happen.

Research for Norwich Union Healthcare estimated that up to 65m worth of working hours are lost due to staff taking time off to recover from their Christmas party excesses. It is no wonder therefore that companies are more than a little tentative about making any Christmas party plans.

Roger Bibbings, Occupational Health Adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said that while they don't want to appear as "party poopers", they believe that, "Some sensible safety precautions will allow people to have a great office celebration without having to call in the emergency services."

The photocopying of body parts is of particular concern to RoSPA health advisers who are worried that workers do not appreciate the potential dangers of taking part in such an activity. The risk of personal injury from broken glass in rather sensitive areas is very real and can lead to somewhat embarrassing trips to the hospital.

Table top dancing, another popular office party tradition, is also at the top of the office party most-likely-to-cause-an-accident-list. With most female workers shunning their comfy pumps in favour of their highest stilettos for the occasion, many are more than a little wobbly without the aid of alcohol or unsteady tables. Therefore a combination of the three can be somewhat hazardous and result in broken ankles, legs and rather painful derrierès.

However, while RoSPA officials say they are only acting in the interests of workers' safety, others believe that a bit of harmless fun is good for office morale and building team camaraderie. Nick Goulding chief executive of private business lobby group the Forum of Private Business said:

"The purpose of Christmas parties is to encourage team spirit, encourage relationships and so on. If you tie them down with pettifogging regulations, you really undermine the whole thing you are trying to achieve. It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

I have to agree. While table top dancing, the photocopying of private parts and office chair racing all can have potentially career-ruining and body-breaking consequences, they are an office party staple and so should they stay.

Office parties may well be crammed full of potential personal injuries and work-related accidents waiting to happen, but so is any fun activity and it is not often you get to have fun while with your work colleagues. No doubt the workers at RoSPA have had their Christmas party banned for health and safety reasons – a personal injury compensation claim made against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents might be a little embarrassing for them.

Can I claim?