One in 10 workers know of a colleague who has either been disciplined or dismissed for inappropriate behaviour at the staff Christmas party, according to a survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The survey of 2,000 employees found that, of these, 29% said that the reason for the disciplinary action or dismissal was fighting, while 19% cited the reason as threatening behaviour.

Other reasons for disciplinary action include sexual harassment (17%), bullying (12%) and other forms of discrimination (8%).

Ben Willmott, senior public policy adviser at the CIPD, says: “People should feel able to relax and let their hair down, however it is a good idea for employers to remind their staff that inappropriate behaviour could land them in serious trouble and even lead to them losing their job in the case of serious misconduct.

“In the current economic environment with people under increasing pressure at work there is an added risk that people will drink too much, let off steam and do something they might regret in the sober light of the next morning.”