BUSINESSES have been challenged to adopt not one but 31 New Year's resolutions in a bid to avoid paying thousands of pounds in damages.

Each of the resolutions has been included in an "Office of Horrors" calendar which features daily legal horrors and their possible cost to a company.

These range from unfair dismissal - possible damages £22,000 - to getting food poisoning in the staff canteen - £10,000.

Other 'offences' range from groping at the office party to harassing e-mails.

Law firm Davies Arnold Cooper, which has an office in Manchester, has produced the calendar and has based the compensation figures on what other companies have actually paid out in similar circumstances.

"Many New Year resolutions are made on January 1 and forgotten by January 2," said partner Nicholas Rudgard.

"Our calendar is designed to provide business executives with food for thought right through to the end of the month.

"Many company directors realise the need for a policy on harassment or office bullying. But how many stop to think that blocked fire exits could lead to a hefty fine?

"Our message is act now to avoid paying later."

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