HR expert shares 7 behaviours to avoid when socialising with clients and co-workers
After a summer of headline-grabbing concert faux pas, including the now-infamous Coldplay incident’ where Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on the jumbotron with his HR chief in what tabloids dubbed an ‘alleged affair’, some CEO concertgoers may be rethinking how they behave at public events.
But it seems some CEOs haven’t read the memo. CEOs like Piotr Szczerek, CEO of Polish paving company Drogbruk, who was caught on camera at the US Open snatching out of a child fan’s hands, a signed hat from Polish tennis star Kamil Majchrzak.
According to the BBC, Szczerek apologised later after the clip went viral on social media and online news sites from as far as the US to India reported on the incident.
However, the CEO’s actions caught on camera have cost his company’s reputation, according to the BBC: “Szczerek’s paving company Drogbruk was also struck by a salvo of negative reviews after internet sleuths review-bombed his firm online.
“The contractor now boasts a 1.4 star rating on Google Reviews – while the site for the firm on Trustpilot was forced to close “due to media attention.
In the latest CEOs behaving badly incident, it goes to show, you never know who is watching (or filming).
Understand the ‘grey zone’ of work-related social events
That’s why concert ticket vendor SeatPick consulted HR expert Fiona Vivian of marketing agency Reboot Online to share the dos and don’ts of attending a gig with colleagues or clients and to understand the ‘grey zone’ of work-related social events.
Fiona says: “We can only imagine what it was like at Astronomer HQ the day after the ‘Coldplay incident’, and laughing it off and chalking it up to ‘too many drinks’ is unlikely to go down well.”
So, if you’re attending a public event with coworkers or company clients, here are seven key points to remember:
Think of it as an actual work event
“Even though it’s not in the office, you’re still around people you see in a professional setting, so that means your behaviour will most likely be remembered on Monday morning. It’s important to know that even if tickets are bought via the company, it’s treated like a work function, so even if employees just happen to attend together, HR will still take complaints seriously if conduct affects workplace relationships.”
Avoid any ideas to engage in grand romantic gestures
“The show is not the time to confess your crush or undying love for a colleague you work with. From serenading your manager to ‘Fix You’ to ‘accidental hand-holding’ in the crowd surge, there is a duty of care and safeguarding, particularly if tickets were comped by the business. If this is unwanted behaviour, it could be deemed as harassment and would be taken very seriously.”
Pace your drinking
“If alcohol is involved, moderation is your best friend, because overindulging can blur boundaries, cause awkward moments, or lead to office gossip. If an employee’s behaviour crosses a line, whether through inappropriate contact, abusive language, or visible drunkenness in front of clients, it could cause reputational damage and fall under gross misconduct in the workplace handbook, even though it happened outside office hours.”
Keep conversations light and inclusive
“This is not the night for venting about your manager, debating politics, or revealing the details of your love life. Anything said at the concert could resurface in the workplace.”
Be mindful of photos and social media
“If you take pictures, check with your coworkers or clients before posting, as some might not want a video of them dancing wildly circulating in the company Slack or Teams.”
Respect personal space and boundaries
“Concerts can be crowded and loud, but that’s no excuse for unwanted touching, hugging, or leaning on people who might not be comfortable with that, especially not holding them from behind. The Equality Act 2010 states unwanted advances, comments, or touching in a concert setting can still count as harassment at a work-related event.”
Be your best self
“This is most likely a concert you’ve been waiting for all year but be the version of yourself you’d still want to work with the next day.”
What could be the repercussions of your actions?
Fiona adds: “If someone attempted to kiss a colleague at a concert, and it was unwanted, it could trigger a formal HR procedure, if unresolved informally.
“Employers are legally obliged to take these complaints seriously, investigate promptly, and take appropriate action. Typically, this would begin with a written complaint from the person affected, supported by a confidential investigation. Based on the findings, outcomes may include a formal written warning, or in more serious cases, termination of employment.”
