Bar None

Party plans in hand, you still have a touchy issue to resolve--should you serve some alcohol or hold a "dry" party? Some experts strongly argue for a new Prohibition. "Sometimes I feel like Ebeneezer Scrooge, but what I tell companies is that employer-sponsored parties and alcohol don't mix," says attorney Blickman.

Other experts argue that there are benefits in serving alcohol--a drink or two will loosen up nervous employees--but moderation needs to be aggressively enforced. "At our parties, we don't let people get intoxicated," says FSU's West, whose institution provides a function room for businesses that want to host off-site parties. "We've trained our managers to quietly tell individuals who have had too much to drink that we're concerned about their safety and for that reason, we're cutting them off."

Does this trigger hostile reactions? "That's rare," says West, who notes that usually a person is embarrassed when his or her inebriation is pointed out. "Most are very cooperative with us."

Another tactic for moderating alcohol consumption: "We suggest to our clients that they avoid hard liquor and serve only beer and wine," says Rhymes. "We also advise setting a party time limit of three hours. That's a big help."

There's another precaution worth taking. Before the party, circulate a written policy that intoxication at employer-sponsored events is prohibited. "This helps set the right tone," says Blickman. He also advises that if your precautions are to no avail and some employees get drunk, have a plan for dealing with it. One good idea is to put the employees in cabs and send them home.

At the party's end, how do you know if the event has been successful? "If employees have developed stronger human relations with each other, the party has been a real success," says Whalen. And it just might prove to be lots of fun, too.

Contact Sources

Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan, (317) 236-2298, http://www.imdr.com

Snap2, c/o Short Communications, (713) 669-8411

This article was originally published in the December 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Bar None.