Richard K. Zuckerman and Sharon N. Berlin

The holiday season may be over but, as you get back to your regular work schedule, we encourage you to add one more goal to your New Year's Resolution list: to make your office fun again! In light of #MeToo, it is no surprise that many employers are decreasing social and other fun activities, believing that doing so may avoid situations that could lead to liability. With the constant reminders that just about anything can go “viral,” it is not surprising that employers are defaulting to a “sterile” work environment. Doing so may come at a cost—the decrease of employee morale, overall efficiency and work performance. The good news is that you can do something about it!

Let's face it. Employees spend much of their waking hours at work. Circumventing liability in a # era does not require the cancellation of all morale boosting activities. Avoiding liability involves, among other things, having clear policies written in simple, easy-to-understand language, and that prohibit illegal harassment and discrimination. Training your workforce on those policies every year is also a must. New York Labor Law §201-g requires every New York employer to have disseminated to their employees, on or before Oct. 9, 2018, a policy against sexual harassment and to provide all employees with anti-sexual harassment training by no later than Oct. 9, 2019 and at least annually thereafter. Employer policies should prohibit illegal harassment and discrimination, including at any workplace party or other event. Employees should be reminded regularly of that prohibition, including in advance of any event.

Here are three suggestions that employers can implement to help make their office(s) fun again: with that in mind,

Surprise your employees. Planning a surprise employer-provided lunch or outing shows employees that they are appreciated and can help break up a work week.

Start New Traditions. Productive workforces have routines, protocols or committees for everything they do. Why not have one for planning something fun? This could be as simple as celebrating staff birthdays and other life events; “bring your son/daughter to work” day; having an employer-provided breakfast to welcome new employees; encouraging employees to suggest quarterly learning seminars presented by and to other employees; hosting a book club; or starting a “lunch club” where a different kind of cuisine is brought into the office once a month. Public employers cannot use public money to fund these activities, but their employees can voluntarily contribute to cover the cost.

Get involved in community service. Have a service day to let your employees give back. Volunteering and getting involved with local organizations brings people together for a good cause and can be beneficial to one's health. It also boosts the employer's visibility and sets the employer apart from competitors.

This year, consider making a positive change by making your office (more) fun.

Richard K. Zuckerman and Sharon N. Berlin are partners at Lamb & Barnosky.