reminders to the employees before and at the event. Messages like "Drink responsibly," "Don't drink and drive (with free taxi info on it)," "Report inappropriate conduct to a manager," etc. d'oeuvres, finger food and lighter meals make the cocktail the center of the event. Plaintiff's bar also argues that smaller portion sizes leads to increased intoxication. to argue your company endorsed drinking to the point of intoxication when the event is a Wednesday lunch. A Friday dinner opens more liability. And if your company event is during "happy hour" (at a bar) or an "after-party" it will be hard for you to argue alcohol was not the primary tool in building camaraderie. night of heavy drinking. Consider a restaurant, without a night scene, and eat a proper dinner at a table. water-cooler? What is the implied meaning of "come out and have some fun?" This means one thing for a baseball game and another at a sports bar at 8 p.m. drink tickets per person, don't base the number on your budget instead focus on responsible drinking. For example, if the average person processes one drink an hour, giving your employees one drink ticket per hour might demonstrate to a jury your company believes in responsible drinking. Then when your managers are deposed, they can articulate this rationale. the "official" event is over, then keep to it. Have managers and supervisors signal the end (again, not babysitting, but an overt signal that the sanctioned company event is over). One court has found if employees and supervisors continue to drink after the company party, subsequent actions are less likely to be linked back to the company event. the employee became intoxicated solely at Marriott's party; here, the employees and supervisors visited multiple bars after the company event, i.e. intoxication was not exclusively at the company event. transportation home, period. This is less expensive than a wrongful death suit (and easier on the conscience). event is more than just location and cost. Plan out contingencies, assume individuals will become intoxicated, and take reasonable preventative measures to protect your employees and the public. This article is not saying you have to apply all these factors, but you must think about them when planning. If employees get intoxicated at your event, how will a jury look at your company's message? With intentional planning and proper supervision, you can build team morale, strengthen your company's work force, and protect your company's interest along with everyone's safety. |