Managers should ensure they don't do anything they would regret at the Christmas party

The news comes as Baroness Stern is reviewing the way rape allegations are handled by police. As the Christmas party season gets into full swing, Stern has said there are "no grey areas" around rape cases involving intoxicated acquaintances.

 
The survey from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) also reveals only 31% of respondents said that they had changed their behaviour at work Christmas parties since being promoted to a management position, so the potential for ‘embarrassing incidents' in 2009 looks set to continue.

More than six out of 10 managers (61%) think company Christmas parties are a behavioural minefield, with one in five knowing someone who has been disciplined or fired thanks to over-enthusiastic festive frolics.
 
Penny de Valk, chief executive of ILM, said: "At the risk of sounding Scrooge-like, managers have to be careful that they don't wake up the morning after the staff Christmas party seriously regretting their behaviour.
 
"By all means embrace the festive spirit and have fun, but also remember that you are a role model for your team and that it isn't wise to do anything inappropriate that will impact on your professionalism in the long-term."

But the ILM's survey also showed two-thirds are disappointed with the amount of effort their company puts into parties. More than a third (39%) of people do not think they put in any effort at all, while 34% believe Christmas work events are cobbled together on a shoestring budget.
 
Almost a third of those surveyed did not enjoy Christmas parties, with many seeing them as a ‘necessary evil'.

Overall 63% of managers said that they would hold a Christmas party this year, with 84% of those celebrating with a bash held outside of their workplace.
 
In terms of rewards, 71% stated that they would not receive any Christmas bonus. Out of those who said that they would receive a bonus, 38% said that they were likely to get a financial reward, followed by 24% who would receive a gift.