Choosing a Training Provider Your Ultimate How To Guide

Choosing a Training Provider Your Ultimate How To Guide Choosing a Training Provider Your Ultimate How To GuidePosted January 21, 2019, by JennyYou wouldnt buy a car before taking it for a spin, or buy a house without a thorough inspection, so why would you invest in your education without the right researchTheres a lot to check off your list when it comes to finding the one, and you only get out what you put in, so when youre course hunting, be prepared to put in the time and effort to research.Deciding who to study with is really important, and knowing the difference between university or vocational education training (VET) at a private college or TAFE is a must So without further ado, heres a little breakdown on eachUniversity University has long been one of the most popular tertiary choices for Australian students. There are currently 43 universities across the country with mora than 1 million enrolled students.University qualifications Uni is often a compulsory stepping-stone to many careers, arming students with highly regarded Degrees, Masters and/or Doctorates - well talk mora about what each qualification offers in Chapter 4. Regardless of your background, talents or career goals, the huge range of university courses on offer means youre aya to find a degree to suit your interests and aspirations.Duration The time to complete a Bachelors Degree is 3-4 years and a Masters is 1.5-2 years.Prerequisites Entry requirements for university tend to be more competitive and those straight out of high school will require a specific ATAR, which is set by each institution. There are alternatives for getting into uni without an ATAR including professional work experience.Teaching style Universities have large intakes and if youre choosing to study on campus youll find yourself in lecture theatres among hundreds of fellow students. Lectures are led by industry experts who are at the top of their game so listen up You do, however, have the opportunity to pick the b rain of your tutor during smaller tutorials.TAFEGet more hands-on and practical with a TAFE course Short for Technical and Further Education, TAFE offers a more focused learning environment, ensuring students gain more practical skills for the workforce. Its a government-run education system offering courses in vocational areas such as beauty, trades, childcare, hospitality, tourism and much more.TAFE qualifications At TAFE, qualifications you can graduate with include Certificate I, II, III or IV, Diploma and then Advanced Diploma you can learn more about each of these in the next chapter.Teaching style The great thing about TAFE is that they offer smaller class sizes, which means youll receive more one-on-one teacher assistance.Prerequisites There are generally fewer prerequisites for getting into TAFE and can often be considered a stepping-stone for those who dont qualify for university.Private Providers Private providers are all about offering students a more personalised learn ing experience. Private colleges come in all shapes and sizes and often concentrate on delivering industry-focused training in their specialised field, such as design, hospitality, beauty, fitness, finance or more.Qualifications Private course providers offer a mix of VET* and higher education courses. Independent training providers can offer certificate courses, right through to postgraduate degrees.Private colleges do not have to be government regulated so if you want your piece of paper at the end to be nationally recognised, then be sure to check that your institution is a registered training organisation.*Vocational education and training (VET) enables students to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the workplace... VET is provided through a network of eight state and territory governments andthe Australian Government, along with industry, public and private training providers. These organisations work together to provide nationa lly consistent training across Australia. ASQATeaching style Be part of a more focused learning environment Like TAFE, private colleges have a smaller student intake which means more focus on you.Prerequisites An ATAR is not required for admission and the entry requirements for each course will depend on the level of qualification youre applying for.At the end of the day no one option heavily outweighs the others, each provider has different strengths, and each qualification offers different benefits, so it is up to the individual to choose the institution and qualification that suits them the best and gets them closest to their goals.What to Look for In Your Education ProviderBe sure to shop around and enquire with multiple providers (/courses/course-providers). Compare course fees, content, the length of the course and their industry connections. The NSW Department of Fair Trading state they receive complaints from students about fees, refunds, misleading information and course quality for training and education.Dont commit to a course without adequate research and really weighing up your options. Here are some things to look out for when tossing up between training providers.Some providers specialise in one or two particular fields, while others offer a huge variety of courses. If an institution has put a lot of resources into mastering the field youre interested in joining, then it might be worth signing up and allowing them to help you really excel. Whats their reputation like? Dont be shy to ask around (colleagues, industry professionals or friends) to find out more about a training provider. Do you learn better among peers in a classroom environment or do you prefer to log on and learn online,allowing you to study remotely at your own pace? Perhaps you want the best of both worlds and will opt for a blended learning experience.Know what study mode works best for you and ensure your provider can meet your needs. Facilities offered to students can help be the deciding factor of whether to stay or keep looking. Institutions offer different facilities such as sporting facilities, student accommodation, libraries and study spaces as well as speciality facilities that may be required in your field like science labs or health clinics. Ensure your provider has the right facilities to help kooperation your learning experience. If youre studying on campus, the atmosphere could be important to you. Be sure to research and visit the campus youll be studying at, chat with students and even see if you can have a look at some upcoming social events and activities. Have a good read over the course content. The same course can be taught quite differently across different institutions. Its important to read the course outline, and pay attention to the core subjects and electives to ensure theyre suitable for you. You may also want to check whether work tischordnung is a component (if relevant). Your qualification is recognised. If youre putting in the hard yards, you want to ensure that the end result (aka that piece of paper) is accredited. Be sure to check relevant industry bodies accredit the course youre looking at and your training provider is registered. Are your trainers properly qualified? Look for providers with trainers who have industry experience and are prepared to mentor you. Last, but definitely not least is the big F word, FUNDING. Once youve narrowed down your options, you need to make sure you can afford them. Find out if there are Commonwealth Supported Places available or government loan schemes such as HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP. Most institutions also offer scholarships and awards or even a number of payment plans, so be sure to have a good chat with your provider about what options are available to you.Be SupportedNo matter what provider you choose, one thing you should be looking out for across the board is what student support services are on offer. Ask about academic support, online reso urces, health services and career counselling services. You might not think it now, but when the going gets tough its important to have a good support network that youre comfortable turning to.Avoid Making The Wrong DecisionThe NSW Department of Fair Trading urges everyone to make an informed decision when choosing the right provider. Avoid pressure tactics and scams. Dont be fooled by on the spot sign-ups or feel obliged because of their limited time only prices. Training providers should always offer you time to consider the course and offer you adequate information on their institution and the course itself. Oh, and never ever give your tax file number to a provider unless youre 100% sure you want to sign up.Want more guidance around your studies? Our FREE study eBook, Study for Success, is loaded with tips and advice to help you along every stage of your learning journey. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Heal th & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesvocational education and training savocational education and training courseswhat does ai mean for your careervocational education and training qldvocational education and training victoria CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire verbunden Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJennyRelated ArticlesBrowse moreInterview questionsInterview tips3 Questions You Should Be Asking in a Job InterviewJob interviews can cause a lot of pressure, however with a little preparation, an interview can be easier to handle Its not only important to prepare answers to questions that come your way but to have meaningful questions to ask in return.CommunicationCoworkersHow To Increase Your Emot ional IntelligenceEmotional intelligence is crucial for building successful relationships, both in the office and out. Multiple studies have shown that a high level of emotional intelligence can really pay off in your career. Here are 5 tips to improve your EQ.Career progressionSTUDYINGThe long-term benefits of short coursesTodays fast-paced and bustling world requires the vergammeln worker to become a jack-of-all-trades.

Interviewing Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring

Interviewing Mistakes to Avoid When HiringInterviewing Mistakes to Avoid When HiringConducting a job einstellungsgesprch looks a lot easier than it is. Many hiring managers take this step in the hiring process for granted ?and dont invest the time, work and concentration that effective job interviews require. Above all, they dont prepare enough and end up winging it. ?Even if you feel you know?how to conduct a job interview, this stage of the hiring process is where you are fruchtwein likely to falter. Interviewing mistakes - such as succumbing to interviewer bias or failing to follow a standardized list of questions ?- can lead to bad hiring decisions, which can be ?costly ?for your company.Here are seven ?of the all-too-common job interview mistakes hiring managers make, with tips ?on how to avoid them1. Bringing interviewer biasIn the world of scientific research, a scientists expectations can influence the outcome of an experiment. Similarly, a hiring manager may develop a bias based on expectations about an applicant in the context of an interview. For example, a manager might believe that a prospective employee ?who comes highly recommended by a colleague is prequalified and better suited to the position than an unknown. Interviewer bias can also be more subtle - for example, when an employer unconsciously favors an applicant whose first name is the same as her generous, hard-working uncle.The solution Hold multiple interviews.The best way to overcome interviewer bias is to have several qualified individuals meet and question each candidate for a position. The first interviewer, for example, might be a human resources manager, while the second might be the supervisor the applicant would report to. The company ?owner or division head might conduct a third. Alternatively, a committee composed of a senior executive, a manager and team members could chat with ?each potential employee and compare answers.Robert Half has been helping companies with their hir ing since 1948. Let us help you.REQUEST TALENT2. Apples vs. orangesInterviewers often believe they are fairly consistent in the ?evaluation process, when in reality the interviewers are assessing variable criteria. ?One major difference between interviewers who have a knack for hiring ?winners and those who dont is nothing more than simple discipline. Skillful interviewers think through the process and tend to follow the same method every time, with variations that they tailor to individual situations. Unsuccessful interviewers tend to wing it, creating a different routine for each interview and entering unprepared. The hidden danger of a lack of planning You deprive yourself of the one thing you need the most as youre comparing candidates - an objective standard for evaluating potential employees.The solution Ask the same questions every?time.Before scheduling the first round of in-person interviews with candidates who passed the phone screening for the position, create and priori tize a standard list of appropriate interview? questions. behauptung should be based on the key skills and aptitudes required for the job. Generally, a standardized interview question list can be grouped into three broad categories experience (to review education, job skills and work history), aptitude (to explore special abilities and willingness to learn) and interpersonal skills (to assess their ability to work independently, as part of a team or in a leadership capacity). Interview questions touching on professionalism, judgment and career aspirations can also be useful.3. Being dazzled by a haloThe ?halo effect ?is a term managers often use to describe a situation in which the interviewer becomes so enraptured by one particular aspect of the job candidate - ?appearance, credentials ?or interests - ?that it colors all their other judgments. This might cause an interviewer to overestimate the qualifications of a potential employee ?who went to their own alma mater. A negative d etail can have the opposite effect and cause a candidates qualifications to be underestimated. Interviewers are only human. You cant always help yourself from placing too much significance on one part of their ?overall presentation. At the very least, however, be aware of your halo-effect tendencies and do your best to keep them in check.The solution Be analytical. One way to overcome the halo effect and ?improve your selection process for hiring ?is to be sure that you evaluate the prospective employee ?on each key skill and aptitude needed for the job. Appraise each aspect analytically - you could even assign a score from 1 to 5. This allows you to make sure theres evidence for your positive (or negative) impression and give you a more realistic basis for comparison.4. Contrasting the candidatesWhen interviews are scheduled close together on a single day, a contrast effect may come into play and distort how potential employees ?are evaluated. For example, stronger job candidates interviewed right after weaker ones may appear to be stronger than they really are.?The solution Space interviews out - and take good notes.Its worth considering the contrast effect when scheduling interviews. If possible, leave a little time between conversations with prospective hires to review interview questions and answers objectively and cleanse your palate. Just being aware that contrasts between potential employees ?could be coloring your judgment can improve your objectivity. Taking good notes and reviewing them later also helps give a better sense for how the people in the running for the job ?really stack up.5. Neglecting interview prep timeFailing to give the interview process the time and effort it deserves is, by far, the main reason hiring managers ?fail to reveal useful information about a person. You can probably understand why they frequently neglect to take the necessary steps to prepare for interviews, conduct them diligently and evaluate the results in a though tful manner Theyre busy. Everybodys busy. Time is at a premium. But your job is to make every interview you conduct count.?The solution Stick to a schedule.If you want to objectively compare each potential hires answers, give them the same amount of time, whether its 15 minutes or a full hour. Encourage all managers involved in the hiring process ?to ?have the same goal.6. Forgetting the detailsNo ones memory is perfect, and that can lead to interviewing mistakes. After interviewing dozens of prospective hires, its inevitable that an employer might have trouble remembering details or may confuse one applicants qualifications or answers with another.The solution Keep meticulous records.Take careful notes during each conversation ?to make it easier to compare potential hires ?and reveal gaps in information. Note taking also helps offset a natural tendency to place too much importance on an individuals performance. A person who interviews well isnt necessarily always going ?to be a ?go od hire?- a reserved, unassuming candidate ?may end up working out as ?a better match for your ?workplace.?7. Talking too muchA good interview really boils down to pace, perception and patience. If youre talking more than 20 percent of the time during a job interview, youre talking too much. You can - ?and should - ?react, comment on and build on the answers that candidates give in job interviews. And you should certainly respond to ?their questions about your office, work-life balance and your typical day. But ?bear in mind The only thing you discover about potential hires ?during any session where youre doing most of the talking is how they listen.The solution ?Let them drive.The interviewee should carry most of the conversation. Plus, probing through active listening - for example, letting the job candidates comments spark related questions - is a critical interviewing skill because it allows you to gain valuable information youd miss if you did most of the talking.?Identify ing and screening job candidates can take a lot of time and energy. If you need some help evaluating new hires for your company, contact Robert Half. We are experts at finding highly skilled professionals ?who meet your job requirements in your industry and location.Stay up to date with Robert Halfs management and career advice by subscribing to our blog.

How to Make Your Bad Boss Like You More - The Muse

How to Make Your Bad Boss Like You More - The MuseHow to Make Your Bad Boss Like You More The number of hours (and bottles of wine) my friends and I consume complaining about bad anfhreres is immeasurable. But the main theme of our conversations always came back to How do you get on their good side when you can barely stand them yourself?Ive learned over time that it all comes down to a simple truthNot everyone will like you, and those who do wont like you all the time.Welcome to human nature. We are flawed individuals who dont always get it right.How do I get my boss to like me, even if I dont like them? may be the prevailing question. But Im afraid its leid the right question. For one, its inherently flawed logic. Youre allowed to not like them, but theyre not allowed to not like you? That doesnt seem right.Lets take this question and flip it around to look at it from a confident angle. The real question is, What do I do when my boss doesnt like me?Make Sure Youre Removing Yourself From the EquationThere will always be someone at work who challenges you, who pushes your last button. And its probably going to be a boss at some point or another. And guess what? You will be that person to someone else along the way.People usually know when theyre not liked. If you think your boss doesnt like you- and you dont like your boss- its entirely possible they know how you feel and are responding to your negative energy and attitude. Should they be? No. But if I can get one point across to you in this article, its that your boss is a human and theyre not always as in control of their behavior and emotions as they should be. (Who hasnt snapped at someone or rolled their eyes and regretted it moments later?)So, the next time your manager does something that you think indicates he or she doesnt like you, put a mirror on yourself (metaphorically, of course) and note your response. How did your body language change? How did you respond? Theres a good chance youre feeding off each other. While being aware of that might not change how your boss interacts with you, youll at least know youre not part of the problem.Redefine Your Expectations of Relationship at WorkMore tough love for you Work is a transactional environment. You are compensated to provide a service or skill. Your boss is not required to like you. Yes, you deserve to work at a company in which you dont feel like youre just clocking in and out. Work friends matter. Good bosses matter. But unfortunately, not every company and not every manager see it that way, and you mightve found yourself working at a place in which thats the case.This doesnt mean you should work in abject cruelty, but it should help you establish appropriate expectations for your time at this office. Gaining a working friendship with your boss is a bonus. An achievement. It is not a guarantee. Instead of trying to convert a boss to a friend, make it a goal to make work friends who can fulfill that role (and this article will help you do just that). Start moving from wanting to be liked to wanting to be respected- something thats far more important than whether or not they like you.Now, how do you get that respect? That brings me to my third pointDo Your Work WellThe absolute best way to win your boss over- even if they dont seem to like you- is to adopt a killer work ethic and turn out work products that exceed their expectations. Anytime you get criticism (or even lackluster feedback), make it a point to follow up and ask what you can do in the future to improve. This article will make that easier.And when youre setting out on new projects, make sure you get the goals, expectations, metrics, and anything else you might be judged on before you start. Its harder to be outright rude to someone when theyre checking off everything you expected. Unless youre a truly terrible person, the fact that your boss doesnt like you very rarely has anything to do with you. They might be miserable about something happe ning at home or elsewhere in the office and be taking it out on you. Or, maybe something about you is a trigger for them based on a past experience. Perhaps theyre just a curmudgeon. To tie all of this together, you must understand the difference between self-esteem and confidence. Self-esteem (or lack thereof) says, They will/must/dont like me. Confidence says, Ill be fine if they dont.Challenge yourself to keep showing up, doing great work, and behaving in a way that makes you feel proud of yourself. Remember this You wont work with this person forever. Either one of you will leave, move to a different department, or take on a new role altogether.And youll hopefully be able to look back at your time together with a lot of lessons learned about what kind of manager you want in the future- and maybe even what kind of manager you want to be.

How to Choose the Right Font and Size for Cover Letters

How to Choose the Right Font and Size for Cover Letters How to Choose the Right Font and Size for Cover Letters Which font should you use in your cover letter? What will make the best impression? When you are writing cover letters, its important to use a font that is clear and easy to read. When hiring managers have to review dozens, if not hundreds, of applicants for a position, they may immediately pass over a cover letter and resume that isn’t instantly legible. Be sure to make your font large enough so that the reader doesnt have to squint to read your letter, but not so large that your letter doesnt fit well on the page. Heres how to select a cover letter font and the appropriate font size for your letter. Keep It Simple When it comes to choosing a font to use in your cover letter, your best bet is to keep it simple and professional. You want your words and message to stand out, not your font choice. Avoid using unprofessional novelty-style fonts such as Comic Sans, handwriting, or script-style fonts. Ideally, the font used in the cover letter will be both the same size and style as the one used within your resume, to help you present a cohesive package. Review these tips for determining the right font for your cover letter, as well as what size it should be, and which styles are and are not appropriate to use in  a cover letter. Choose One Simple Font Using a simple font will ensure that your cover letter is easy to read. Basic fonts like Arial, Courier New, Calibri, Verdana, and Times New Roman work well. Most word processing and email programs will default to a professional and easily readable choice. Limit yourself to one font in your cover letter; its best not to mix several fonts in one document. There is no need to use different styles in a cover letter. Avoid underlining or italicizing, and use boldface text only when emphasizing quantifiable achievements that need to “pop” on the page. Pick an Appropriate Size Depending on how much content you have in your letter, select a 10- or 12-point font size. Its best if you can format your cover letter so it fits on one page, with margins that are no larger than 1” and no smaller than .7”. If your letter includes a heading with your name and contact information, you may choose to make this font slightly larger. How to Make Your Selection Select a font from the list at the top of your document before you start writing your letter,  or:Type your cover letter.Highlight the content of your letter.Either select the font from the pop-up window or select the font from the list at the top of the document.Select the font size you want to use the same way.Proofread your cover letter.Print your cover letter, even if you are going to upload it online, to make sure that it is formatted, properly spaced, and looks the way you want. Include Plenty of White Space Regardless of the font size you select, there needs to be space at the top of the letter and between each paragraph and each  section of your cover letter. Heres how to  space your cover letter. When you are using Microsoft Word, here is how to select a template for your letter and how to select the font style and font size. If youre using a different word processing program, the process is similar. Select the content of your cover letter, then choose a font and a font size. You may need to try a couple of different sizes to make sure that your cover letter fits on a single page. Review these formatting tips to be sure your letter will make the best impression. Email Cover Letters The information above applies primarily to instances where you are sending a traditional cover letter by snail mail or when you are sending a formal cover letter as a Word or PDF attachment to an email message. Be forewarned that copy-and-pasting a cover letter into the body of an email message may destroy the formatting, making it difficult to read for an employer who may have a different computer system. The safest thing to do when you are copy-and-pasting your cover letter to email is to remove all formatting and HTML and submit it as plain text.

A Boat that Walks on Water

A Boat that Walks on Water A Boat that Walks on Water Flying through the water, barely skimming the surface, loud and seemingly proud of it- even sometimes pushing past alligators - this is the world of the airboat. But it is evolving from a small recreational craft for a few to becoming a vessel with vital search-and-rescue capabilities for many. Billy Miller, owner of Airboat West, Embudo, NM, discovered the latter capability while helping out during Hurricane Katrina and feeling unnecessary trips were being taken back and forth. Most airboats are for a shallow haul and top heavy but can be terrible in the open sea, he says. I wanted to make one where the entire boat can be reassigned for a low center of gravity, take a lot of people, and have a whole apparatus with a roll bar designed for survival rollovers. Most airboats are sitting up high and tall to see down and get gators, but in New Orleans you had low-hanging power lines that could clip people. “Wave Buggy” is a rescue airboat designed to carry passengers or 2,250 pounds cargo. Image: Airboatwest.com The Wave Buggy Designed with SolidWorks 3D design software, Millers Wave Buggy, which can hold 15 passengers, even incorporated the input of engineers who had worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. I wanted great minds helping me, he says. And it was important that it was efficient in deep water and white water. The Wave Buggy can be used for rescue or recreation, but regardless of function, when designing an airboat, you need to decide what kind of horsepower is most suitable, with 500 hp fast becoming the minimal rating, Miller says. Also, you need to know what kind of speed to aim for. In general, airboats go a lot faster than other boats because theyre not using the water for power or propulsion and, when theyre really moving, only inches make contact with the water for less contact friction, he adds. Managing Winds Theres also the rudder. Mine is designed like little wings and directs air to where you want it to go, Miller says. It sits on top of propellers and in the very center. The wind comes off of it like a tornado. Miller designed his boat with a 79-in propeller and 49-in rudders so they catch the center of the propeller and direct it. With high-performance motors, the amount of power required to turn a propeller and for the required low-end torque means youll want to produce 4000-5000 rpm, he says. For Millers hull, he designed it with tubes made of Hypalon, PVC, and polyurethane, allowing the boat to sit up higher. And his airboat, like others, is without brakes, using the reverse motor to stop. Some even do a 180-degree spin-on-a-dime to slow down, he says. One of the most important rules has nothing to do with mechanics, however, as he says to always remember to bring a set of air plugs. How loud it will be depends on the propeller and what exhaust system. Mine is better because its routed with flow-through motors and a good exhaust but its never going to sound soft, he laughs. But at least, Miller says, the ride is smooth. Its incredible how effortlessly it moves. Four inches off the water. How can you not have fun when youre flying! Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionMost airboats are sitting up high and tall to see down and get gators, but in New Orleans, you had low-hanging power lines that could clip people.Billy Miller, president, Airboat West

Waiting For An Offer

Waiting For An Offer Waiting For An Offer Bill and Chet: You probably have a strong urge to pick up the phone, call the lawyer you met, and ask what is happening. Before you do that, however, you need to do some homework. If you know others who have interviewed at the firm, talk to them about their experience. Have they heard from the firm? If not, the firm may simply be slow in getting around to making a decision. Firms vary in the speed with which they make hiring decisions. Some firms are more cautious than others. In addition, you may have been interviewed early in the recruiting season, and the firm is continuing to make its rounds of law schools. Or perhaps you are the second choice of the firm, and the extension of an offer to you is contingent upon the rejection of a prior offer given to someone else. Whatever the reason, months may go by with no word from the firm. Unless you have a compelling reason to communicate with the firm (as would be the case if you have an offer from another firm and a deadline on your resp onse is approaching), it is normally best to lie low and not initiate communications. There is very little you can say during a telephone call that is likely to arouse greater interest on the part of the firm than you will be able to generate during the interview at your school. If you cannot suppress the urge to contact the firm, write them a letter indicating how much you enjoyed the interview and look forward to hearing from them. Even if such a letter doesn't help your case, it may make you feel as if you are in greater control of the situation. ~The situation is quite different if you have an offer from another firm and must respond soon. In this case, you have a legitimate reason (as opposed to mere impatience) to inquire as to your standing at the firm. In some situations, the fact that you have an offer may peak the interest of the firm that is sitting on the fence. Be prepared when you call to identify the firm that has given you an offer and, whatever you do, avoid any mis representations in this regard. Above all, be patient. Wait for the firm to get in touch with you. Initiate contact only if you really need to know where you stand with the firm.

How to Reduce the Employer Liability at Holiday Parties

How to Reduce the Employer Liability at Holiday Parties How to Reduce the Employer Liability at Holiday Parties The increased recognition that alcohol consumption at organization-sponsored events creates significant legal liability has had an impact on that traditional institution, the company holiday party- but this impact is not necessarily pervasive or severe. Organizations are carefully weighing the pros and cons and trusting employees to act as professionals has so far won the day In an extensive 2015 survey of employers, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that a majority of organizations (59 percent) planned to serve alcohol at their holiday or end-of-year parties. And only half of these employers (47 percent) said that they would seek to regulate alcohol consumption through methods such as: providing drink tickets or a drink maximum (71 percent of respondents were in this category),serving only certain types of alcohol (for example, making wine and beer, but not spirits available at the party) (25 percent),having a cash bar (18 percent), orother (11 percent). Moreover, the SHRM 2015 survey found that year-round, a third of organizations (33 percent) have either a formal or informal policy that allows employees to drink alcohol at work-related events. (Each employee needs to determine if drinking alcohol at company events is for them.) Companies schedule and plan holiday parties with the best of intentions, to reward their employees, boost morale and encourage team spirit. But these gatherings, especially when alcohol is served, can turn into an environment for unwanted sexual advances and potentially illegal employee conduct if the employer is not careful. That is especially the case when the holiday party is held at an offsite location (which, according to the SHRM 2015 survey, is the case in nearly 67 percent of such functions). In a social setting outside of the workplace, an employee whose inhibitions are lowered by alcohol consumption can engage in behavior that he or she would never consider doing on the job. Employers Worries Extend From Harassment to Employee Fatalities Holiday  parties often bring more than just intoxicated high jinks. Being merry can sometimes mean crossing the line, ranging from offending a coworker to violating the law. Moreover, in today’s real-time social media environment, drunken shenanigans at a  holiday party can quickly be posted online for the whole world to see. The first two actions an employer needs to take prior to the holiday party include reminding employees that respect and professionalism apply not only on work time but also at company-sponsored events such as office parties. And secondly, employers need to establish social media policies that prohibit employees from posting photographs or video without management permission in social media. These are two good initial steps, but far more needs to be done to deal with the more serious legal issues. Employees are protected from sexual harassment and discrimination by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which covers employers having 15 or more employees (including regular part-time ones). Title VII provides two requirements for conduct to trigger potential liability for unlawful harassment: The conduct must be unwelcome; andThe conduct must be sufficiently severe or pervasive. It need not be both. Conduct is not illegal simply because it is inappropriate or makes a coworker feel uncomfortable.  However, even a single, extremely serious incident of harassment may be sufficient to constitute a Title VII violation, especially if the harassment is physical. So, if an office party incident follows previous incidents of misconduct, it could constitute the evidence necessary to reach the “severe” or “pervasive” threshold, ?which lays the foundation for a Title VII claim. A second major legal liability is created by drunk driving following an employer-sponsored holiday party.  In a 2013 court decision that received substantial publicity, a California appellate court reversed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment for the employer. They found that an employee who consumed alcohol at a company-sponsored event and, after leaving, struck another car and killed the driver created liability for the employer. “It is irrelevant that foreseeable effects of the employees negligent conduct (here, the car accident) occurred at a time the employee was no longer acting within the scope of his or her employment,” the court ruled. Proactive Steps to Consider at the Holiday Party Given such legal risks, prudent employers should take these six additional proactive steps to lessen their litigation liability.  Key examples of actions that are recommended for employers to consider include: Have in place comprehensive, written anti-harassment policies, clearly stated in employee handbooks- and publicize that policy prior to the holiday party.Send a memo reminding employees to act responsibly at the party, clearly expressing a lack of tolerance for any inappropriate behavior including drunkenness.Enforce the workplace dress code at the party to avoid any inappropriate or suggestive attire and let the employees know your expectations in advance.Make attendance at the party voluntary, and do not suggest that attendance will benefit a person’s standing within the company. If alcohol is served, set a tone of moderation in advance through interoffice memos, emails, meetings, inserts into paychecks or other communications, and stress that excessive alcohol consumption will not be tolerated.Limit the number of drinks or the length of time during which alcohol will be served, and provide substantial non-alcoholic alternatives. Serve plenty of food and ensure that alcohol consumption is not the focus of the event. Such steps are not a guarantee against holiday party problems, particularly if the decision is made to serve alcohol.  But they can be an employer’s foundation for an effective defense against liability if problems should come to pass. Consider though that ten reasons exist about why employees often loath office holiday parties and take this into consideration as you plan your annual holiday bash.