Businesses are being urged to limit the amount of alcohol served at work social events in order to prevent people from acting inappropriately.
The warning from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) comes as it releases a new poll, suggesting a third of managers have seen harassment or inappropriate behaviour at parties.
Women were more likely than men to say they had witnessed this behaviour.
The CMI's boss said alcohol "doesn't need to be the main event" at parties.
The institute, a professional body focusing on management and leadership, surveyed more than 1,000 managers at the end of April.
The poll found that almost one in three managers report that they have witnessed inappropriate behaviour or harassment at work parties. A third of women surveyed said they had seen this behaviour, compared with 26% of men.
Activities at work parties
Overall, 42% said work parties should be organised around activities that don't involve alcohol. Younger people, aged between 16 and 34, were most likely to say this.
The chief executive of the CMI, Ann Francke, told the BBC that socialising with colleagues is "a great team-building opportunity" that many people enjoy.
But she added that managers have a responsibility to keep inappropriate behaviour in check, and to ensure there are safeguards in place.
"That might mean adding additional activities alongside alcohol, limiting the amount of drinks available per person or ensuring that people who are drinking too much are prevented from acting inappropriately towards others."
It comes after the CBI business-lobby group was plunged into crisis following allegations of a rape at a summer work party in 2019 and other sexual misconduct at the organisation, which emerged last month. A second allegation of rape subsequently emerged.
Both allegations are being investigated by the police.
'Too much of a risk'
Alison Loveday, an employment lawyer and business consultant, said many companies now see alcohol-fuelled work parties as "too much of a risk".
"Boozy work parties are the exception rather than the rule today. They have become much reduced because there is a realisation that alcohol and lots of people doesn't necessarily go well together," she said.
David D'Souza, from human-resources body the CIPD, said that work social events may become even more important, with the rise of hybrid working.
"While they can, and should, be fun, organisations and leaders must not neglect their legal and ethical responsibilities to keep employees safe - obligations they have every single day in the workplace."