If your small business has a few employees, it may be time to think about a summer get-together. Company parties can be great for morale and team building.
The key is to plan appropriately so that your event is covered by liability insurance, doesn’t put your company at risk, and your activities are enjoyable and purposeful. With careful planning, you can prevent mishaps and minimize your risk of facing a liability lawsuit.
Insurance for Your Company Party
Will your regular business insurance policy cover a company party? Maybe, but maybe not.
If your party attendees consist of employees, your general business liability coverage is likely sufficient. However, if your company party is an event that the public or customers are invited to, you may need a special event policy. Some people associate special events coverage with weddings, but this type of policy is also appropriate for company parties.
If you’re serving alcohol or renting a venue, you should strongly consider additional coverage for the special event. Many venues even require proof of adequate insurance before they will rent the space.
The cost of coverage will vary depending on the size of the party you’re hosting and the activities involved, but the cost of your liability without insurance if something goes wrong makes the premium worth the cost.
Careful Planning Prevents Mishaps
Choosing a good venue is the first step in careful planning. If you’re serving alcohol, you might want to be careful about planning a water-based party. Whether you’re at a pool or lake, the risk of mishaps increases when people become intoxicated.
Choose a venue that has activities that attendees can enjoy without risking their safety or health.
Next, choose a menu from a reputable catering service. Opting for an insured and reputable caterer can remove some of your liability for the food. They will bear the responsibility if something causes illness.
Finally, have a set beginning and ending so that you don’t run into problems from people staying too long. Make sure everyone knows when the party is over.
Tips for a Good Time
Serve plenty of food and food options. Try to accommodate allergies and ensure you don’t run out of food. If your party lasts more than a couple of hours, consider serving snacks in addition to the main meal.
Set aside a little bit of time to build innovation and creativity. It should be fun, but this time can be very profitable. A simple group game can accomplish this goal.
If kids are invited, make sure you have kid-friendly activities. A company picnic for families should be designed around what children would like to do. If you only have tables set up, the kids will get bored, and your party may seem like a flop. But if you set up some cornhole games, water blasters, and scavenger hunts, you’ll be something people remember as a great time.
Set a budget and plan. If you don’t have a budget, your spending could quickly get out of control. With careful planning, you can have just as much fun without overspending.
Having fun together can help your company become more of a team and build resiliency that will help improve productivity in the office. It’s worth the effort.
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