Holiday party? Skip the mistletoe

This holiday season could be less jolly for some business leaders. That is if they don't heed the advice on company holiday parties Alva Cross preaches.

Cross, a labor and employment lawyer with the Tampa office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, says that costly sexual harassment, discrimination and assault suits are more commonplace at firms' holiday parties than business owners may think.

Cross has represented managers accused of harassment at these events due to simple missteps — such as hanging mistletoe. She says it may be festive, but could lead to sexual harassment accusations.