Open bar at Holiday Party

Maggie A · November 2002

We have always hosted an "open bar" at our annual Holiday Party, along with dinner, dancing, etc. For several weeks prior to the party, we post notices about the perils of drinking and driving and encourage employees to have a designatied driver, stay over at the hotel, or take a cab if they have had too much to drink. Do we have any liability if someone is involved in an accident on the way home from the party? We are toying with the idea of giving each employee a set amount of money to pay for a cab, if need be.
Anyone have insights they would like to share?
Thanks,

sonny · November 2002

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-14-02 AT 03:38PM (CST)[/font][p]You might want to do a search. . we have had a few good discussion on this previously with different ideas and opinions on how to deal with the issue. The long and the short of it is, yes you could have liability. I think the majority of us oldies but goodies feel it is best to invibe at home with your honey vs at the company party and if I recall, most of us are opposed to serving alcohol at company functions.

jmpmo · November 2002

We have a bar at our holiday party as well, however, we limit the "free" drinks to two. Each employee receives two tickets and once they have been used then drinks must be paid for. This policy has been working well for many years for us. Good luck!

Pork · November 2002

The answer to your question is YES, YES, AND YES. The fact that your company has always done this is also an indicator that your company is very lucky. God's hands have watched over your flock! Now given that choices are made and the outcome is the death of anyone employee, or worst yet me a unlucky innocent by stander. you can bet that my spouse and my kids are going to get the best "attorney dawgs" together and my estate and my attorney will become very rich at your companies' expense. When you have a choice "free drinks" "open bar", education & training do not replace personal decisions by senior leadership to put an innocent person's life in jeopardy. Have the dinner, have the dance, and leave the bar to those that want to take personal responsibility for their drinking habits...DO NOT LET THE COMPANIES'ARM REACH TO THE BAR, IF IT DOES YOU'LL PAY SOONER OR LATER!!! Been there and done that, and don't do it anymore, the litigation just does not pay. Pork

Paul in Cannon Beach · November 2002

This question was discussed at length in the forum just a few months ago. Here is a link: [url]http://www.hrhero.com/employersforum/DCForumID14/1276.html[/url]

Its long. You might want to make yourself a drink before you start reading it.

Paul

Maggie A · November 2002

Thanks, that was a helpful link. Sorry I missed the original discussion. I think!

Paul in Cannon Beach · November 2002

Maggie,

This morning I came across this information so I will pass it on with the Holidays approaching. Its from the DOL.

- Paul

Nine Tips for Office Celebrations

Nine Tips for Office Celebrations Give New Meaning to the Phrase "Life of the Party"
Be honest with employees. Make sure your employees know your workplace substance abuse policy and that the policy addresses the use of alcoholic beverages in any work-related situation and office social function.

Post the policy. Use every communication vehicle to make sure your employees know the policy. Prior to an office party, use break room bulletin boards, office e-mail and paycheck envelopes to communicate your policy and concerns.

Reinvent the office party concept. Why have the typical office party? Try something new like an indoor carnival, group outing to an amusement park or volunteer activity with a local charity.

Make sure employees know when to say when. If you do serve alcohol at an office event, make sure all employees know that they are welcome to attend and have a good time, but that they are expected to act responsibly.

Make it the office party of choice. Make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.

Eat...and be merry! Avoid serving lots of salty, greasy or sweet foods which tend to make people thirsty. Serve foods rich in starch and protein which stay in the stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Designate party managers. Remind managers that even at the office party, they may need to implement the company's alcohol and substance abuse policy.

Arrange alternative transportation. Anticipate the need for alternative transportation for all party goers and make special transportation arrangements in advance of the party. Encourage all employees to make use of the alternative transportation if they consume any alcohol.

Serve none for the road. Stop serving alcohol before the party officially ends.
If alcoholic beverages are provided at office social functions, state laws regarding their use and resulting legal responsibilities should be consulted and addressed. This information provided by the U.S. Department of Labor is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon to determine what steps employers can or should take to address potential legal liability.

Mike Maslanka · November 2002

also think about getting insurance for the event and make sure the insurance does not expire---like cinderalla---at midnight,but bleeds into the next day...and,check to see if the servers have received training by the state liquor board---they can check if someone has had too much...or don't serve alchol at all(would there be a revolt?)--or have just a certain number of punch bowls...regards from texas,mike maslanka

Nick Ogden · November 2002

Without question; the employer can be liable for any injury to the employee or any third party (i.e. a car wreck). Unfortunately, we live in a litigeous environment.

Frenchie · November 2002

We are a beer wholesaler. Over the years we have gone from an open bar throughout the whole evening to two free drink tickets for each attendee, to last year when we offered cash bar only. Our party is also when we recognize service so we generally have a social hour, nice dinner, awards program and then entertainment afterward. We have always held the function where there are hotel accommodations, or have arranged for shuttle service for all attendees. Last year, because the cost of drinks was more expensive at our party than in the bar at the facility, most people left when the entertainment started and went to the bar. So, this year we aren't going to have entertainment, just a nice dinner and program. I know that many of the employees no longer feel it is a fun event. However, responsibility begins at home, or in this case at work. We spend a lot of time and money educating consumers about responsible consumption. It's important that we walk the talk. Our ultimate goal is to have adult consumers enjoy our products in a responsible and safe manner.

Open bar at Holiday Party

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