Should Alcohol Be Part of the Workplace Holiday Party?

ACI Founder and CEO Dr. Ann D. Clark is a frequent writer on LinkedIn. See Dr. Clark’s recent article below, originally published on LinkedIn.

The holiday season is here, and at many workplaces, that means a party. Planning a workplace celebration calls for many decisions and choices: will it be held during the work day, after hours, or on the weekend? Onsite or offsite? Will only employees be invited, or will guests include employees’ family members or a plus-one? What about entertainment?

But perhaps the biggest decision employers must make during holiday party planning is how to handle alcohol. Will it be served at all, and, if it is served, what precautions will be taken to ensure that everyone is comfortable and the celebrating doesn’t get out of hand? While there is no one right answer, there are a number of factors worth considering.

To Serve or Not to Serve

The decision about whether or not to provide alcohol at a holiday party generally hinges on a combination of culture and setting. At some companies, end of the week happy hours are a common activity; at others, socializing is more family-centered. Some companies might have a strong mission or values-based reason for keeping an event alcohol-free. Others might decide purely on the basis of cost or liability concerns.

The party’s setting also makes a difference. Is it an adults-only affair, or an event for the whole family? Is it on a Tuesday afternoon or a Friday night? Is it being held in a workplace conference room or a hotel ballroom?

For employers who do decide to serve alcohol, it’s worth taking the time to ensure the party remains safe and comfortable for everyone. Here are a few tips:

• Provide a variety of interesting food options from the start of the event to discourage guests from drinking on an empty stomach.
• Consider serving beer and wine only, rather than hard alcohol. If hard alcohol is served, don’t offer it in the form of punch, which can make it hard for guests to realize how much they are drinking.
• Always use professional bartenders, and consider making it a cash bar (for alcoholic drinks only).
• Close the bar after dinner (if a formal meal is served) or a few hours before the party is scheduled to end.
• Have professional transportation services available for guests who don’t feel comfortable driving home.

To Drink or Not to Drink

While many employees appreciate the option to drink at the holiday party, the presence of alcohol can be a landmine for some who might be struggling with an alcohol problem or are in recovery. For others, it may simply raise questions of how much is too much in a work setting. Consider providing employees with some tips like these prior to the event:

• While moderation is a good idea in any setting, at the office party it is a must. It is advisable to limit consumption to just one or two drinks, and be sure to eat before or while drinking to mitigate the effects.
• As in any situation involving alcohol, have a plan for getting home safely.
• For those who have reached their limit, or want to abstain altogether, bartenders are always happy to fix up a club soda or coke with lime, and may even offer fun, alcohol-free mocktails.
• Finally, whether or not an employee chooses to drink, everyone should respect coworkers’ boundaries. There may be many reasons a colleague is declining that refill—no one needs to know those reasons, and no one should be pressured into drinking when they choose not to.

A celebratory holiday party is a wonderful way to build workplace camaraderie and thank employees for their hard work. Whether or not alcohol is served is a matter every employer must consider based on the nature of the event and the people attending. Whatever the decision, careful planning will ensure everyone has a good time.