Police spoke to a public servant after complaints by female colleagues of “unacceptable behaviour” following their work Christmas party.

The Ministry of Social Development confirmed to the Herald it received two complaints involving an employee after its December 11 Christmas function.

Wellington City area commander Inspector Dean Silvester said police received a report on December 18 of “an alleged incident”.

“Police made initial inquiries into the report and a man was spoken to in relation to the incident,” Silvester said.

“With the information provided to police at the time, no criminal offending was identified.”

Police would not elaborate on what the man’s alleged behaviour was towards the women.

Silvester said the person who made the report had been advised of the outcome and police had offered them support.

The ministry’s deputy chief executive for Disability Support Services (DSS) Anne Shaw said the organisation “immediately dealt with the complaint and the staff member complained about no longer works for us.”

She said the incident happened outside the office later in the evening after the function was over.

“We thought it was important to let all staff at DSS know there had been complaints and that the staff member complained of had resigned.”

She said DSS supports the women who spoke up about the incident.

“We take any claims of inappropriate behaviour very seriously,” she said.

A whistleblower who contacted the Herald claimed “alcohol was supplied and consumed in a manner that posed serious risk to staff health and safety” at the Christmas party.

In response to claims of “excessive” alcohol consumption at the event, Shaw said the department’s alcohol policy was clear.

“The consumption of alcohol on MSD premises at any time requires the prior approval of a manager,” she said.

“For social gatherings at our national office site, guidance is that alcohol cannot be consumed before 4pm and people need to leave by 7.30pm. Hosts need to have food available as part of being a responsible host.

“These policies were complied with,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Social Development Minister Louise Upston said it was “an operational matter for MSD/DSS” but would not say if the politician had been made aware of the incident.

“The minister expects all matters of this nature to be taken seriously,” the spokeswoman said.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at [email protected].