With the holiday season upon us, one question I hear often is: “How do I protect myself legally at our holiday party if we’re serving alcohol?”
Since holiday parties are kicking off this weekend, here are some practical tips to help you minimize risk while keeping the celebration festive:
1. Serve Food from the Start
Offer appetizers or other snacks early in the event so employees aren’t drinking on an empty stomach.
2. Make Drinking Optional, Not the Focus
Provide entertainment, speeches, presentations, or other activities to keep employees engaged beyond just alcohol.
3. Stick to Beer and Wine
Consider serving only beer and wine instead of hard liquor. Avoid drinks like punch that make it difficult for employees to monitor their consumption.
4. Limit Alcohol Consumption
Use drink tickets or another informal method to track the number of drinks served to employees.
5. Control Bar Hours
Set clear start and end times for alcohol service. For example, close the bar during dinner and at a reasonable hour to signal the conclusion of drinking.
6. Use Trained Bartenders
Never allow employees to serve themselves or coworkers. Make sure bartenders know not to serve anyone who appears inebriated.
7. Monitor and Assist Employees
Recruit managers or event committee members in advance to watch for overindulgence. Offer rides home, arrange taxis or rideshares, or ensure a designated non-drinking driver is available.
By planning ahead and implementing these measures, employers can host safe, enjoyable holiday parties while minimizing liability.
Happy Holidays and happy celebrating!