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December 3, 2004
Merry Making
Posted by Carole Matthews at 10:06 AM
Holiday parties and other special events are a great way to show employees you appreciate all of their hard work. Employees get a chance to socialize with one another without impending deadlines or numbers to meet. They also give the business owner a chance to interact with employees in a less formal atmosphere, one unemcumbered by the pressures of the day-to-day running of the business. But for all of the merry making, one thing should loom large in an employer's mind this time of year--liability, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption at holiday events.
I know firsthand about the liability of serving alcohol at company-sponsored events. My late father, Rudy Kadlec, was the CEO of a 75-person firm in the 80s and 90s. He was probably the most fun-loving CEO a company could have, and he regulary sponsored corporate shindigs to recognize major milestones the company met or celebrate the holidays. And, being "one of the guys" -- his employees never really felt he was their boss, more a team player -- he never thought twice about supplying alcohol at these events. Afterall, he thought, we're all responsible adults here. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at one of the summer picnics the company sponsored.
One employee volunteered to bring a keg to the picnic, which my father didn't see a problem with. However, that same employee proceeded to drink heavily, and at the end of the party, she got behind the wheel of a car with her husband and step-daughter as passengers. Sometime along the way home, she dangerously tried to pass a line of cars, and sadly, had a head-on collision, killing her step-daughter.
The legal ramifications of this accident were long and arduous. For two years, the victims, including the employee and her relatives, placed blame on the company, and specifically my father. It was heartbreak enough for him to know someone lost her life, but to have his own family's home and savings threatened, as well as the company's reputation and its own financial survival in question was extremely difficult. In the end, the driver was found at fault, though the company did extend financial help to her and her family despite their ruinous efforts.
So the moral to this story: Be careful this holiday season. Holiday events don't have to be open bar. If your employees snicker at that thought of an "alcohol-free" event, just explain to them that your workplace substance abuse policy includes disallowing the use of alcoholic beverages at office social functions. The U.S. Department of Labor offers nine tips this holiday season to address the use of alcohol at office parties. Give them a read. They might help you decide how to handle the issue of serving alcohol at your event.
Have a safe holiday!
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Yep, I'll going to my wife's office party and sh'e going to mine the next week.
(I don't drink alcohol at all)
It amazes me sometimes that people can't just drink something non-alcoholic instead. It's very sad that someone died because they drank to much, wether it's at a company sponsored party or at the local pub. Last night my company had a party and I did not attend. For me it was not worth the money I would have to pay a babysitter just to watch my coworkers drink and act like fools. Of course I do wish that the amount of money that would have been spent on my wife and I if we had gone would just show up in a check in my name...but I work for attorneys and they are not about to hand out more money then that have to.
I really like the suggestion of explaining that the "workplace substance abuse policy includes disallowing the use of alcoholic beverages at office social functions." great idea....too bad it's not used more often.
"Here's some Crack, just don't drive on the way home from the party."
Wow. What an eye-opening story. Thank you. Wonder if it would do any good to have those who are planning on attending sign a liability waiver? Or another idea might be to contract with a local tow truck company or cab company to provide company-sponsored free rides home to anyone who needs them. My guess is that a few tows or cabs is far less than what legal fees might be.
Adam Boettiger
http://www.businessconferencecalling.com/
I love Holidays :-)
I think company sponsored Christmas parties are becoming a thing of the past for reasons like this. They're also known for sexual harassment cases because of the drinking and loose atmosphere.
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