It's the season for downing one too many eggnogs at the office party and regretting that inhibition-free post on Facebook.
It's bad enough that most of us have an occasional judgment lapse in the real world. But extra trouble -- the legal kind -- can come from slipping up in the presence of co-workers and a smart phone.
"Social media at holiday parties now is the gift that can keep giving," said employment attorney Christopher Parlo, partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in New York.
The firm sees more business over the holidays as companies worry about how to handle issues that arise when liquor is involved, such as sexual harassment or inappropriate humor.
"In the past, if something had occurred in the workplace and someone sat on the copier and did something inappropriate there, it would have a limited range of distribution," Parlo said.
Not anymore. What once stayed in the workplace is broadcast to the world.
Parlo suggests employers remind staff members of the potential consequences -- legal and disciplinary -- of misbehaving.
So do you turn off the smart phone altogether? No, just use good judgment and don't get drunk with co-workers. Some of the best photo memories come from friends at work during a party.
