Workplace socials and the “Rule of six”

Coronavirus crackdown

On 14 September 2020 the “Rule of six” became law. Social gatherings are now strictly limited to a maximum of six people (including children) in any setting, i.e. indoors and outdoors, in England. Previously, up to 30 people were allowed to meet socially.

Anyone breaching this rule will be breaking the law and they could face arrest and/or a fine. Similar rules apply in the rest of the UK.

Workplace exemption

All workplaces are exempt from this change, so there’s no upper limit on how many employees can attend your premises subject, of course, to you applying safe systems of work and social distancing measures.

But what’s the situation for work-related social events which, in employment law terms, are deemed to be an extension of the workplace?

Catch ups and parties

For example, a group of colleagues might wish to arrange a catch up over lunch. Equally, you might have an annual Christmas party or other social events.

The government’s guidance suggests that where a work-related social event is held inside a workplace, the Rule of six doesn’t apply at all.

Tip. So you could hold a work party for any number and/or allow a large group of employees to catch up socially on your premises without any issues.

Grey areas

What’s not clear is who can attend a social event that’s held on the employer’s premises before it breaches the Rule of six, i.e. employees only or third parties too such as partners and clients.

On a strict interpretation of the rules, it’s likely that third parties couldn’t attend. So if you decided to hold any work-related social event on your premises, our advice is to stick with employees only.

Restaurants and pubs

All hospitality venues, like restaurants and pubs, are permitted to hold more than six people but individual groups meeting within those venues must not exceed six people. Individual groups also cannot mix socially or form larger groups.

This means you cannot book several tables near each other and then allow staff to mingle or chat across to each other. Hospitality venues are under strict instructions to stop this happening and can be subject to penalties if it does occur.

Tip. If you decide to skip the Christmas party this year but still wish to reward staff you could do so tax effectively under the trivial benefits rules. They allow you to give each employee a goodwill gift or a voucher up to the value of £50. We’ve explained more about these benefits and HMRC’s rules in a previous article ( yr.22, iss.1, pg.1 , see The next step ).

For the previous article on trivial benefits, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 22, issue 17.