Dilema with work/holiday party & drinking

[KimE]

We are having a holiday party this year off site, at a Holiday Inn down the road. I was just informed by the owner today that there will be NO drinking. In the past we have had drink tickets, each person gets 2. We have always had the choice of beer & wine, I make sure they are good beers & wine:D .

He told me today that there is no way anyone will be drinking there. OK, I can understand. He went on and on about the liability, yes I understand that. This is the problem, I explaned to him that the bar is about 30 feet from the door entering the room we have rented. He said he wants no drinking, even in the bar, how can I patrol that:eek:
He said he wanted no liability and even if they bought the drinks themselves we would be liable due to having the party at that venue. I have no idea what to do, I have changed the postings I will put around the building next week reminding of the time & place that is is a "alcohol free" event. I have no other ideas what to do.
It is a family event anyway and always has been, it starts at 5:00 on Saturday, there is an elf for the first 1 1/2 hours for face painting, magic tricks, you name it, that was to be during the "cocktail" time. Then we eat and right after that Santa comes and gives each child a present and they get their picture taken.

I did call the planner today and left a message telling him no bar and what suggestions he would have for "mocktails" or punches.

Does anyone else go to Holiday Parties that serve no alcohol? If so what do they serve?

Maybe I am just being weird about this, I don't find it a problem but I already today heard grumblings about it after the management meeting when I was told no drinking.

Trust me I will miss it due to having to get there early, set up the presents, name tags, camaras...you name it, I really loved that glass of wine before everyone got there:D

Kim

[DebGo]

while i understand the "no drinking" policy and "liability" issues and what a hardship that will be on you the party planner extradoinaire -- what i don't understand is this:

I really loved that glass of wine before everyone got there

heck, if it's before everyone get's there i say go for it! :eek: who's to know?? :D :D :D

[Canice]

LOL, Deb! Gotta love the pragmatic approach!

Sorry, Kim, I can't even imagine how to approach your situation. Yes, of course the liability thing is very real and a very big deal, but in my industry (advertising) I can guarantee you that no one would even show up for a dry holiday party, though what you've described is very family-friendly. Our parties were always R-rated at best.
I guess what puzzles me the most is what exactly is expected of you? There's a bar 30 feet from the ballroom and it's up to you to keep people out of it? Or to tell the bartenders they are not to serve anyone from your party? Have you asked management for specific direction on how you should enforce this? It's totally inappropriate of them to lay down an unenforceable rule and then hold you responsible for its adherence.

[MikeC]

I worked for a small company some time ago. When we had crab feasts or parties at the office, there was no alcohol at all. If we were taken out for a holiday gathering at a restaurant, the company did not pay for alcohol, but we could buy ourselves a drink or glass of wine.

In your situation, though, I agree with Canice: I don't see how you can enforce the no-drinking policy. Surely the bartenders can't be responsible for checking every person they serve a drink to make sure they aren't with your group. And your boss can't expect you to stand at the bar the whole night to make sure no one from your group buys a drink. Other than clearly making sure everyone is notified that the company's management prohibits drinking at the party, I'm not sure what else you can do.

[Clover]

You can enforce no alcohol in the ballroom you've rented, but I don't see any way you can prevent people from drinking at the bar. They are grownups, after all, and the event isn't being held on company time. Your boss is being unrealistic.

[memartha]

I understood your post to be the owner of the Holiday Inn doesn't want drinking; is that correct, or is it the owner of your company?

In either case, there is no way in h3ll you can prevent adults from walking over to the bar and buying a drink, nor should you have to police the event.

Sorry, nothing constructive to offer, just think you got a bum deal.

[HejazSunKat]

Does anyone else go to Holiday Parties that serve no alcohol? If so what do they serve?

Maybe I am just being weird about this, I don't find it a problem but I already today heard grumblings about it after the management meeting when I was told no drinking.

Trust me I will miss it due to having to get there early, set up the presents, name tags, camaras...you name it, I really loved that glass of wine before everyone got there:D

Kim


My company doesn't allow drinking at company functions that occur during the day (even if we're allowed to leave after the party) and I get that even though it ain't a heck of a lot of fun to go to a 'Holiday' :rolleyes: luncheon and not be able to enjoy one glass of wine. We had a retirement party at an offsite facility last year and the bartenders just told people if they ordered a cocktail that they were only serving non-alcoholic beverages. If you're being told to police it I'm sure that's the only way to do it - advise the waitstaff not to serve it if asked. You might want to tell the attendees ahead of time that no alcohol will be served so that they won't be taken by surprise. I'm sure they'd be annoyed ahead of time and might decide not to come but I think telling them ahead of time would forestall more of the grumbling than if they got there and found out they couldn't have a drink.

[ginny177]

Kim - I gather you are dealing with a place which is open to the public.
Can you change the location for the party at this late date?
Having "run" many parties for groups myself, I agree with all the posters who said this demand isn't enforceable by you.
It is up to the manager of the site to enforce such a demand. If he doesn't want drinking, he should make the bar unaccessible (close it).
Wishing you good luck!

[Chris415]

I guess I don't understand your boss's point on liability. You're in a public restaurant/bar. The liability lies with Holiday Inn, IMO, and the bartenders, NOT with who is having a party, wouldn't it? It's not like it's at your place of work or someone's home. This is a public place and it's the job of the manager and bartender to say who they can and cannot serve. His argument makes no sense to me.

And I think he's putting undue pressure on you to police your co-workers. Doesn't sound like you would be able to have any fun!
Chris

[jmarie]

but I already today heard grumblings about it after the management meeting when I was told no drinking.

....and management knows where the request came from, so they should be passing the word around, as well. What amazes me is the lack of personal responsibility these days. It's not the fault of the person who does the drinking but liability can go back to the person who had the party, even if the drinker buys the drink at a bar, next to the party room?????:rolleyes: :( Two drinks over a couple of hours....is that going to make anyone too intoxicated? It would, me, I guess...Maybe there were issues last year, that haven't been discussed.

Does your boss have a boss and is this where this is coming from? I don't even drink and find this whole situation strange. Of course, maybe their eyes are on the children and their safety in getting back home. I would stress ALCOHOL FREE: due To Liability Issues and let it go at that.

Good luck and hope that you have fun!

[VAcooker]

I guess I don't understand your boss's point on liability. You're in a public restaurant/bar. The liability lies with Holiday Inn, IMO, and the bartenders, NOT with who is having a party, wouldn't it? It's not like it's at your place of work or someone's home. This is a public place and it's the job of the manager and bartender to say who they can and cannot serve. His argument makes no sense to me.

Actually, if the company allowed alchohol to be served at its party and an employee drank and caused an accident, etc., it could be held liable under a social-host liquor liability.

I found this on a web-site http://www.ibc.ca/en/Business_Insurance/Risk_Management/Liquor_Liability.asp:

"Ensuring that bartenders are experienced and do not serve obviously intoxicated persons.

Offering food service.

Encouraging taxi use.

Providing reduced/subsidized taxi and hotel rates.

Encouraging car pools and designated-driver programs.

Reminding guests before and during the event not to drink and drive and of the other options available.

Having several trained doormen/bouncers/spotters who remain sober and watch people leaving and encourage/insist on taxi use.

Informing guests that intoxicated persons will be put into taxis.

Displaying posters from Mothers Against Drinking and Driving (MADD), Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) or similar organizations, outside and around alcohol consumption areas."

At my DH's holiday party, his employer enforces a two drink max (each employee gets two drink tickets). They have the party at a hotel that has professional bartenders who are trained in bar service and can tell more so if a person has had too much and can cut him/her off, plus they provide 'room monitors' to observe guest behavior.

The employer has place cards placed on the tables, etc. listing the phone number for taxi service, free rides home, and also reminds the employees to drink responsibly-plus the company head makes an announcement about drinking/driving at the party. Also, his employer reserves a block of rooms at reduced rates and offers it to employees who desire it. These are some basic steps the company takes.

[mrswaz]

I think that all you can do is have a bouncer at the door to the ballroom you'll be in. That person's job would be to not allow alcohol in the door. What you can't enforce is an individual person's choice to mosey on over to the bar, sit, have a drink, and then return to the party. That's just not possible, and completely unfair to even ask of you, imo.

[Cookin4Love]

While it's not your decision to make (and, FWIW, I think it was crappy of the company owner to put this on you) the best solution would be for the company to offer rides to and from the party, then let people drink at will. Thereby, no accidents, no liability.

On another note, my DH's company did something that I thought was VERY classy. We got a letter in the mail, as did every other employee of this company, reminding people not to drink and drive. They went a step further, though, by telling people that the company would reimburse them for cab fare, no questions asked, between Thanksgiving and January 2, if they found themselves in any situation where they had even a single drink and didn't have a designated driver or another ride home. It blew me away, honestly. I think I might like their new company president.

[Geo_nerd]

I don't understand. You have been allowed in the past to have alcohol at your holiday parties (our company does the drink ticket thing too), but this year no one is allowed to drink? Is the difference the location of the party this year?

[SusanMac]

Cookin - that *is* extremely cool and very classy of the new boss!

I agree that all you can do is assign someone to work the door to your party & ensure no one comes in w/a drink.

And....fully expect the entire party to move to the bar after the kid part is done :-)

I'm guessing this is the first year w/o alcohol? You've had it previous years?

Also, you definitely need to encourage your company Pres to send out a companywide email before the party informing them of the new rule. This is esp important if this rule wasn't in effect last year. People will grumble, but it will be *way* worse if you wait and spring it on them when they arrive.

[Robyn1007]

First, Cookin, that is incredible! What a great company to work for.

I'm guessing this owner had a meeting with their attorney and got very scared about the liability. I agree that the president should be the one to send an email to everyone in the company, it's not fair to you to have to take any blame.

[KimE]

Thanks everyone! Yes this is the first event where there are no drink tickets, alway in the past there have been 2 tickets given and that is all, along with serving only beer & wine.
The venue has changed as well, in the past we rented the entire restaurant so the bartenders were ours for the evening and no one could buy any drinks so that was easy. It has never been an issue, no one falling down drunk, no one mading an a$$ out of themselves because it has been a "family" event with kids, santa...the whole deal.
This year we do not have just 1 owner but several, that is the concern for the owner/president of the company, his liability to the new investors.
I have added the line "alcohol free" to the flyers I will be posting around the office next week, the party is December 8th so there is no way I can change the venue or anything.
I am just going to talk to my contact there today and ask for several "punchs" available with pretty glasses...i guess

But I am going to talk to the owner today for sure and tell him there is no way I am watching the door for anyone going into the bar and I am not going to be anyones babysitter that evening. In fact I think it will be worse because now we really will have NO control to what they are drinking or how much of the party will then "move" into the bar when it is over.

Thanks
Kim

[Canice]

...
I have added the line "alcohol free" to the flyers I will be posting around the office next week, ....

I'm really not being a smart aleck, but I would note the party as "alcohol-free" rather than "alcohol free".

[Gecko]

I really think that if your boss wanted it alcohol-free then he should have picked a different venue - one without a bar readily available. I agree with the others that it is totally unrealistic for your to stand guard all night. I guess gone are the days when people take responsibility for their own actions.

[KimE]

Canice---good one, no I worded it correctly on the flyer:D

As far as booking it at another venue, it was not an issue when I booked it, as I said, in the past we have always had the drink tickets. I booked it 2 months ago and went over it with him and was told OK. Now yesterday I was told no. I just talked to him about not watching the door and being the "mother" to anyone who goes and gets a drink but that I did put it on the flyer and he was OK with that.

I did also tell him that with me having to get there ahead of time, set up and get everything ready that I would be having a glass of wine:eek:
He said OK...maybe it was the look in my eye when I told him that he was OK with it:rolleyes:

Kim

[Gracie]

Can you email your boss telling him that you will not to be the Drink Police and get it in writing in a reply email from him that you are not supposed to babysit the crowd?

This situation is so unrealistic that I wouldn't put it past him to blame you for "not watching" later on if someone drinks/drinks too much/gets into an accident.

Loren

[aggie94]

Kim,

I think you handled it well with your boss - it should not be your responsibility to monitor what your coworkers do or don't do at the hotel/bar/party.

FTR, though, I am stunned that your boss would use the "liability" excuse as a reason not to allow employees to drink AT ALL at the party. I understand the risks, but c'mon, they are very low, especially if the boss was to take other safeguards like previous posters suggested, like offering free cab rides to or from the event, etc. After all, THOUSANDS of employers have holiday parties every year that involve alcohol and very rarely do I hear about any that end up in a lawsuit. :rolleyes:

[Kristilyn1]

Okay, I drink in front of my kids, everyone I know drinks in front of their kids---but am I the only one who doesn't think it's odd at all to have a family party with no alcohol? I mean, elves, Santa? Beer? I do think it's odd that he decided suddenly after past years of allowing it, but while I wouldn't think it odd if the party DID have alcohol, I certainly don't think it's odd to NOT have it at a party that seems is mostly geared towards children.

Kind of like the children's birthday parties where you invite all kinds of kids and the parents stand around and drink?

Kristi