Alcohol at company events. Advice?

[HardDrive]

My wife has recently taken a directors position with a local hospital. She wants to have regular social meetings with her group. These will be events using hospital funds.

The hospital, of course, has policies regarding this sort of thing, but I was wondering if you guys(and gals) had any input or experiences that you could share. Any insights on how to do this safely, yet still let people cut loose a bit? I am interested in protecting both the hospital and my wife from liability.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[BRPORSCHE]

On hospital grounds or off-site? That can make a big difference.

[biosurfer1]

If you're interested in protecting your wife's liability, no alcohol should be allowed at all.

[schamp]

No up side for anyone.

[911boost]

No alcohol, the potential is to great for some idiot to ruin it for everyone else.

How big is her group?

Bill

[dad911]

BYO offsite perhaps.......I would never supply, personally or business.

[scottmandue]

Common sense says no....


Having said that we had "safety meetings" in the shop after hours for many years.

Alcohol and power tools and no problems (no power tools being used of course) literally mixing cocktails on work benches.

When I worked (as a subcontractor) at a ship yard every Friday and 3:00 they would roll out kegs of beer.

But that was then and this is now...

[GWN7]

Too much of a liability issue. Someone has one too many drinks and gets into a accident the hospital will be the first on the list to be sued. If the others in the committee want alcohol served hold the event at a licenced facility where they have to buy their own. Serve sparkling water and apple juice for free. That way the liability is back on the buyer and the facility for over service, not the hospital.

[masraum]

Nope, I would say no alcohol, if it is a company sponsored event, on prem or not, even if the hospital doesn't pay for the drinks. Too much liability for the hospital, and your wife could get canned.

[mikesride]

Your guys Christmas parties must be a blast.......

[JavaBrewer]

Ah the old days. Small (20 ppl) software development shop. The community refrigerator was always full of adult beverage and Friday happy hour at the local Rockin Baja around the corner.

Hospital meetings on hospital dime != alcohol. Now if folks decide to carry on impromptu off site - I could advocate that.

[BRPORSCHE]

Do you guys not go to company xmas parties that have alcohol?

Edit: I work for a large corp. and this is common place.

[masraum]

Cisco used to have beer in their cafeterias for lunch, and I have been too a beer and ice cream party at the office at the end of a shift. I don't think they do that much these days.

[A930Rocket]

I would say no. Too much liability.

I gave up drinking 25 years ago but the guys at work (builder) would drink a few after work almost every day. It was outlawed by the company back in the late 90's.

[Christien]

While I understand and think you guys who say no are right, it's a sad commentary on the state of our world today.

[lane912]

I do corporate meetings and events, we have a building devoted to this here at the world headquarters campus.

we serve ALOT of beer and wine at MOST of the events
we have contracted a company to handle all the catering services
they sub out to a specialty bartending service for hard alcohol service if it is requested for a event-

free beer for all at the year end all employee
every month a thirst Thursday event or two with free beer-

we are a dow Jones company-

[scottmandue]

Hold your horses there people!

This is in Columbus OH.?

If they don't liquor people up they will freeze to death on the walk out to their cars!

[nostatic]

The rule where I work is that any on-site booze at an event requires a bartender from an authorized vendor. The rationale is that a "pro" will cut off people who have had too much, and liability is then minimized (or more likely transferred to the vendor).

[72doug2,2S]

My advice is to make it a semi-formal and bring Champagne only. This is usually too sweet to over consume, but still allows you to cut loose. I've never seen a Champagne-only party get out of hand, especially if everyone is dressed up. Not that it can't happen, it's just not likely.

[scottmandue]

My advice... just top shelf tequila shooters... the wusses won't drink and the pros can handle it.