Cutting them off: Owners ponder limits on alcohol at parties
The alcohol will flow less freely, and sometimes not at all, at some small business parties this holiday season.
Owners concerned about sexual misconduct and the safety of staffers and guests are eliminating or limiting the open bar, making their events alcohol-free or switching from a traditional cocktail party to activities including games and contests. Human resources consultants and employment law attorneys say they’re fielding more questions about alcohol and parties than in the past following the string of high-profile sexual misconduct cases that began a year ago. They’re advising their small business clients to impose limits on how much people drink.
Ladan Davia decided there’d be no drinking at her company’s party this year after two incidents at last year’s gathering — a male staffer and then a female staffer who were drunk groped other co-workers.