2 in 5 workers suffer Christmas party accidents

Whilst Christmas parties are intended to boost morale, they can cause health and safety risks, as data shows that 40% of people have suffered a minor accident at their work celebration, leading to stress, anxiety and even physical harm in some cases.

These festive mishaps experienced at office parties can directly impact employee mental health as well as cause injury. To highlight the scale of the issue, Stribe has researched the most common accidents and incidents and offered advice for preventing these in future.

Over half a million workers have had work-related accidents

Stribe’s research warns that the office Christmas party can increase everyday risks. Data found approximately 3.6 million UK adults admitted to taking a tumble at a work event, turning a night out into a potential disaster resulting in injuries, sick leave and even stress trying to recover. This hazard is dramatically amplified at office parties by factors like crowded spaces, unsuitable footwear and alcohol consumption. With all directly contributing to the UK’s overall workplace injury statistics. 

Looking more broadly at the year-round scale of workplace injuries, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports about 680,000 non-fatal worker injuries in general, across Great Britain annually. The biggest cause of non-fatal injuries were slips, trips or falls on flat ground, responsible for a hefty 30% of all incidents.

The most common office party accidents

1. Spills 

An estimated 3.7 million people have spilled a drink on someone else, which can not only cause potential conflict but also creates a hazard as spilled drinks can lead to slips and further accidents. Misunderstandings from accidental spills on co-workers may cause future conflict and anxiety amongst colleagues.

2. Falls

Approximately 3.6 million UK adults admit to falling over at a work event. Not only can falls lead to minor, and sometimes serious, injury, they’re also a source of anxiety and stress for the staff member who may feel embarrassed afterwards.

3. Cold chills 

2.1 million people have caught a chill after not wearing suitable clothes to a work event. Staff attending parties may feel pressure to look the part and adhere to a set dress code, leading to a prioritisation of style over practicality. Cold chills can be harmful, causing anything from simple colds to more serious physical illness which could require time away from work.

4. Alcohol-related absence

Around 2 million people have called in sick the next day after overdoing it at a Christmas party, with hangovers, social anxiety and exhaustion being the leading causes of these absences. If workplaces haven’t planned for these potential disruptions in advance, they could be impacted by staff shortages the next day.

Lucy Harvey, COO at Stribe, advises employers to tackle these common issues directly: “Employers should plan these events with health and safety in mind. Make sure your venue of choice is well-equipped to provide a safe environment, avoiding any potential issues with slippy floors or fall hazards. When it comes to staff welfare, be clear on expectations. 

“Managers and senior leadership teams should also set the tone for safe alcohol consumption. If your party is hosted in the office,think carefully about how much you’re putting behind the bar. To tackle next-day anxiety, managers should check-in with their teams one-to-one. A quick conversation can offer reassurance and stop small worries from snowballing into something that affects someone’s wellbeing at work.”

The biggest office party hazards

1. Lighter burns 

Affecting around 1.5 million people, these painful incidents often occur when lighting cigarettes in overcrowded or tight smoking areas, resulting in surface or deeper tissue burns that require immediate medical attention.

2. Ankle injuries

Twisting an ankle when wearing heels while dancing or moving across unfamiliar flooring is a common party casualty. These incidents frequently result in sprains or ligament damage, requiring first aid and extensive rehabilitation.

3. Travel incidents 

Falling out of a taxi upon arrival or departure is a common occurrence on many work nights out, often caused by impaired balance. These incidents can lead to head trauma or broken limbs, creating long-term issues for employees post-event.

4. Food poisoning 

Failures in event catering or food hygiene contribute to the estimated 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occurring annually in the UK (FSA). This risk results in severe, sudden stomach illness and requires time off work to recover and prevent spreading illness amongst colleagues.

Lucy Harvey advises: “These aren’t just outliers, they’re predictable hazards that appear every single year. Employers should be checking that venues have clear signage, adequate smoking areas and trained first-aiders present so people feel safe and supported. Staff planning parties should be doing the simple things like checking the food hygiene ratings of caterers and making sure obvious risks are taken care of before the night starts.”

Consequence of the Christmas party

The consequences of accidents or professional misconduct are extremely high. In fact, data shows that a shocking one in ten employees have been fired or disciplined following a work Christmas party. Previous survey data also reveals that certain professionals are statistically more likely to suffer a workplace mishap:

• Lawyers and HR Professionals are the most likely to fall over at an office Christmas party, with Lawyers also confessed to being prone to spilling drinks on confidential documents.

• Nearly a quarter (24%) of those working in Sales, Marketing and Media admitted to spilling their drinks on someone else, more than treble the national average of 7%.

• Finance professionals are most likely to miss the last train home after a work Christmas party, with 15% missing trains versus the national average of 4%

On the contrary, the Arts and Education sectors report the highest percentage of accident-free parties (55%), proving their commitment to health and safety practice.

“The office Christmas party is meant to be fun – giving employees some light-hearted relief at the end of a long year. However, it’s important for employers to still have safety and employee wellbeing in mind,” comments Lucy Harvey. “It is not enough for an employer to simply meet their health and safety obligations. They must actively support staff to navigate the social pressures that lead to accidents, drinking too much, or behaviour they’ll regret on Monday. The human costs of a serious incident will always outweigh the cost of preventing one. With a few intentional steps, businesses can ensure their festive celebrations go without issue.”