What are the Risks of Serving Alcohol at Any Workplace Event and Ways to Reduce It

Many work holiday parties or seminars are happening these days, and employees usually expect to be served alcohol. But, of course, it’s acceptable to serve alcohol, as it’s one way of bringing employees closer together and boosting their morale.

Besides, alcohol servers have their licenses and certifications before they can even serve. One example is the Illinois BASSET Certification or wherever state they belong. So with that, if you consider serving alcohol at a work event, let’s explore the risks of serving and know ways to reduce risks.

Even if servers already have Illinois BASSET certificates, being aware of the risks associated with alcohol could help organizations prepare an environment that is safe and fun for all employees and participants.

Risks when Serving Alcohol to Employees

Let’s face it, serving alcoholic beverages at any work event are fun. But do you think it’s still fun when incidents happen? If that’s the case, the employers and management are responsible for ensuring that employees are safe and in their sanity.

Serving alcohol in a workplace or work-related events may lead employers to many risks. It doesn’t matter if the alcohol is served off-site or at private venues; the employer still becomes liable for ensuring the Safety of the employees.

1. Accidents Due to Too Much Drinking

If an employee consumed alcohol at work functions, they could hurt themselves, and employers would become liable. Worse is that they would drive under the influence of alcohol. What if they got into a car accident and suffered a severe injury? With that, the employee may sue the employer for negligence.

2. Issues of Addiction

Other than drunk driving, employers must also be concerned about serving alcohol as work that could lead to addiction. In addition, serving alcohol at any work could lead to an unsafe place for those who struggle with addiction or dependency on alcohol.

3. Poor Judgments and Riskier Behavior

Another risk that could come along with alcohol consumption is having employees with unacceptable behaviors. Of course, employers don’t want people in the organization who are violent and harassing. It would be such a burden to work with this kind of person.

Best Practices When Serving Alcohol at Work Events

It’s true that if you don’t serve alcohol at social functions can be so boring. So, if you allow the consumption of alcohol to be part of the company’s culture, make sure that you have a strict policy that employees should follow.

Even if employers don’t have training like the Illinois BASSET certification, it must be highlighted to them how alcohol can be consumed and its measures to ensure everyone’s safety while drinking in moderation. They should also emphasize that too much drinking is not acceptable.

Useful Ways to Reduce Risk When Serving Alcohol at Work-related Events

Check out these tips to reduce risks when consuming alcohol at work events.

Circulate the Alcohol Policy

Disseminating the alcohol policy before the Event or in advance will remind all employees and management of the unacceptable behaviors while drinking.

This is not to threaten or scare them but to make them aware of how to get home safely. Because if there were no policies, employees would likely over consume and be too drunk to drive.

Most of all, the employees must be reminded of the company’s code of conduct and that any harassment or resorting to violence shall be reprimanded.

Ensure Safety

Employees, whether drunk or not too drunk, should always get home safely. If they have enough drinking, ensure they always have a safe way to be home. Get them a cab, or if they’re too wasted, cover a stay in a hotel.

Number of Drinks Should be Limited

The number of drinks to be served must also be limited. If possible, get them to drink tickets that are available per employee.

Drinking Should not be Focused on the Event

Ensure that drinking isn’t the only focus of any company events. Come up with a variety of food and non-alcoholic drink options available at no cost to employees. You should also have different activities available so drinking will not be the main event.

Timing

You should also consider the timing of functions, especially where you will serve alcohol. For example, events that usually take place at lunch or even right after work hours may decrease the alcohol amount that is consumed. So, if you’re hosting the Event in the evening, you just have to close the bar early to prevent employees from getting too drunk.

Someone should Monitor Employees

There should be someone who will monitor the employees that are leaving the party. They should be there to ensure all guests and employees considered intoxicated are going home safely.

Wrapping Up

It’s always a standard operating procedure that when there’s alcohol involved in an event, there must be rules that must be observed. Even if the alcohol servers are trained enough to serve, their Illinois BASSET certification is not always a guarantee that they can monitor all drinkers in an event.

And about employee events, everyone in the organization must be aware that policies are more than just a list of rules. If everyone is controlled, then the Event will be a success.

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