Workplaces

As well as being a place of employment, the workplace is often a venue for socialising, end of week drinks, Christmas parties and general celebrations.&nbsp; <BR><BR>The workplace is a unique drinking setting with its own set of risks. <BR><BR>Drinking may lead to trouble when:<UL><LI>Drinks are provided at the end of the day before any food is eaten<LI>Drinking is hurried due to people leaving for home or to go elsewhere<LI>Drivers who have cars at work, drink before setting out for home<LI>People are celebrating an occasion and drink more than usual<LI>The drinks are free and therefore people drink more than usual </LI></UL>A Host Responsibility&nbsp;policy for the workplace provides a positive way for a <A href="http://www.alac.org.nz/CaseStudies.aspx" target=_blank>company</A>&nbsp;to show its concern about the drinking, driving and the safety of its employees.&nbsp; <BR><BR>It will also minimise some of the harmful effects associated with alcohol&nbsp;&nbsp;-<UL><LI>absenteeism<L

As well as being a place of employment, the workplace is often a venue for socialising, end of week drinks, Christmas parties and general celebrations. 

The workplace is a unique drinking setting with its own set of risks.

Drinking may lead to trouble when:

• Drinks are provided at the end of the day before any food is eaten
• Drinking is hurried due to people leaving for home or to go elsewhere
• Drivers who have cars at work, drink before setting out for home
• People are celebrating an occasion and drink more than usual
• The drinks are free and therefore people drink more than usual

A Host Responsibility policy for the workplace provides a positive way for a company to show its concern about the drinking, driving and the safety of its employees. 

It will also minimise some of the harmful effects associated with alcohol  -

• absenteeism
• workplace accidents
• lowered productivity

The following sample Host Responsibility policy is designed to cover all situations where alcohol is served in the workplace. It needs to be reflected throughout an organisation, from boardroom functions and business lunches to staff socials -

• At any company event that involves alcohol being served, a staff member will be designated to ensure that the policy is adhered to
• The overall responsibility for the implementation and supervision of this policy rests with the manager in charge of the occasion
• Whenever alcohol is served, there will always be substantial food available.  Care will be taken to ensure there are adequate supplies of food to last throughout the function
• Whenever alcohol is served, a range of alternative drinks will be available for the duration, these will include low alcohol and alcohol-free beverages
• Practices that encourage intoxication are not acceptable.  Anyone who becomes drunk will not be served further alcohol.  If such an occasion occurs, every effort will be made to protect the person's safety both at the event and afterwards
• Staff members and guests who are under the age of 18 years will not be supplied with alcohol at company events
• When staff or guests are required to travel after an event, suitable provision will be made to ensure that they do not drive a vehicle if there is any chance that they may be near or over the legal limit
• When an outside organisation or individual caters for a company event, they will be well briefed on the company's host responsibility policy and expected to conform to it.