With Christmas parties now in full swing, many working women find themselves adapting their routines - slipping away early, arranging alternative transport, or turning down celebrations they would otherwise enjoy.

Women know that winter brings heightened safety challenges and for at least half the population, the festive season intensifies those challenges.  

Research from the UK Statistics Authority [1] shows that 82% of women feel unsafe in public spaces after dark, and a survey by London-based security provider Mitie [2] found nearly three-quarters of people change their behaviour once nights get darker.

The UN notes that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devasting human rights violations in our world today and is a threat to millions of girls and women, both online and offline. Unfortunately, Christmas doesn't give pause to this.

At Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland [3], as an organisation which represents the views of women, we know that December is a time to be merry but that the late nights, travel home and increased alcohol around festive gatherings can make women feel especially vulnerable.

Employers, therefore, have a key role in recognising and mitigating seasonal disparity for female employees as the party season gets underway.

And it's not about cancelling celebrations but rather about designing events that consider women's needs right from the beginning, allowing all employees to participate in workplace socialising without compromising their safety or wellbeing.

It's important for businesses to strengthen their approach to safeguarding during the festive season and accommodate their female workforce. Ultimately the impact is economic as well as social: limiting women's opportunities shrinks the talent pool for employers.

The Reality

During the Christmas season, routines that should feel joyful and simple - the journey home from a festive drinks reception, an after-work Christmas gathering, or even an early-morning wintry walk before a busy day - can suddenly feel less accessible for women once darkness falls.

Many choose to avoid public transport, steer clear of unlit routes, or turn down invitations to Christmas socials and networking events altogether.

These quiet adjustments often go unnoticed, yet they create a meaningful shift in how women participate in work, and celebrations, throughout the winter months.

Opportunities for connection, visibility, and festive team bonding can be reduced, not because of a lack of enthusiasm for the season, but because personal safety becomes the overriding factor.

The result is, each year, the Christmas period and the darker months surrounding it can narrow women's engagement in professional and social spaces. This is why employers have a vital role to play in recognising these seasonal realities, to increase inclusivity, and ensure each and every member of staff feels equally able to take part in the workplace festivities, no matter the time of year.

The role of employers

Workplace policies, locations, shift patterns and travel expectations can affect women differently from men, and these pressures often intensify during the Christmas season.

One practical way to build fairness into everyday decision-making is through a Gender Impact Assessment (GIA). This is a straightforward tool that encourages employers to ask, "does this work for everyone?"

During the winter months, when festive events, late finishes and darker evenings are more common, a GIA can help highlight gaps that disproportionately affect women.

These may include poorly lit car parks, expectations to travel home alone after evening Christmas functions, or limited flexibility around shift changes - all of which can increase a woman's vulnerability at night.

By addressing these issues proactively, employers can ensure the Christmas period feels safe, inclusive and accessible for all staff.

Top tips for your next GIA

Here are several ways a GIA can help ensure a fair and supportive approach for all your staff during the busy Christmas season:

• Review working hours and flexibility - offer adjusted start and finish times to reduce late-night travel day-to-day and, for festive events, think about different employees' travel considerations once events go past a certain hour on the clock.
• Enhance physical safety - improve lighting around entrances and car parks, and ensure secure, well-lit routes for staff leaving your office, especially from evening functions, or choose venues for events with better lighting at night which are also closer to accessible transport links.
• Communicate openly - provide clear channels for staff to raise concerns about winter or Christmas-related safety issues. Consult your staff on what works best for them, and use their feedback to make fair, informed decisions.
• Raise awareness - help teams understand how darker evenings and seasonal schedules can affect female colleagues and offer bystander training.
• Try practical initiatives - encourage staff who travel similar routes after Christmas activities to walk or commute together.
• Lead by example - schedule celebrations, briefings and team gatherings during daylight hours where possible.

Each consideration reflects simple, meaningful steps that demonstrate care for staff wellbeing. The strength of a GIA lies in its simplicity - it's doesn't have to be a major bureaucratic document, but rather questions to help you create a safer, more inclusive workplace.

Prioritising women's safety throughout the Christmas season leads to stronger teams, reduced absenteeism, and a more positive working environment for everyone.

Stay Ahead

Companies that use GIAs build stronger teams, retain staff longer, and drive innovation by creating fair, future-focused workplaces that attract and support top talent.

During the Christmas season, when darker evenings, festive events and busier schedules can heighten risks for women, employers also have a crucial opportunity to make winter safer and more inclusive by addressing these seasonal challenges.

True equality means more than increasing the number of women in senior leadership, where they continue to be underrepresented in the UK. It also requires the creation of an environment in which women can participate fully in all celebrations, seasonal activities, and daily work routines without compromising their safety or wellbeing. Soroptimist club members are part of a global movement united by a desire to advance the lives of women and girls. 

If you'd like guidance on how to introduce a GIA in your workplace, please reach out to your local Soroptimists' club: [4]