Please Drink Responsibly at Your Desk

My dad was a “do business over lunch and a martini” kind of guy back in the 1970s. It was the way things were done. We also see this dramatized on the hit series "Mad Men," where they are passing the decanters around all day as they create the next big thing in Madison Avenue advertising.

As the drinking at work went out of style, cigarettes were banished next. The workplace was squeaky clean again and Human Resources Policies were firmly in place for anyone who violated these rules. Everyone was warned that they could be sent for an alcohol or drug test if suspected they are under the influence. Oh, and they were also told that there would be consequences!

However, there is a shift back. Lately, and often, companies are proudly reporting that they offer beer at 5:00 p.m. as one of their perks, or even “Whiskey Fridays” where employees can go spend a few hundred dollars on whatever liquor sounds good to them that day.

Now, I’m not going to tell you that I myself haven’t partaken in happy hour or Miller-Time-High-Fives-Because-It’s-Friday moments with my co-workers … just not in the office. So I’m fascinated at this new trend, which has taken hold in many small businesses and large corporations.

A University of Illinois at Chicago Study (a town where they incidentally do a great job celebrating St. Patrick’s Day) attempted to say drinking enhances creativity and facilitates people to “explore unorthodox solutions,” but could we just say that companies are looking for ways to keep employees happier since they are working extraordinarily long hours? They now offer free snack rooms and soda or alcohol to go with the long hours, which combats a healthy lifestyle.

The 20-year Human Resources Veteran in me does have a series of involuntary acute twitches hearing these things, and this is why:

• I know people working in these environments of long hours and “perks” who have said this has done nothing to help, and has only hurt them via gained weight and, yes, pressured drinking at events that led to DUIs.
•  I have reports from some who say it is like being at a party at a frat house, which is not what they signed up for in a work environment.
• Sexual harassment is part of the culture and the behavior appears accepted.
• Nice, quiet mornings are ruined with stories of “I was so drunk last night” and “I almost got pulled over last night.”
• Stress is building for many people in these environments. Stress is America’s No. 1 health problem and leads to chronic illness. 80 percent of workers report they feel stress on the job. Giving them drinks and exposing them to DUIs, sexual harassment, and unhealthful snacks is adding to the problem.

Some companies say that they can weed out alcoholics, but typically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that if they come forward, they are offered rehab, not dismissal.

There are several ways to have fun at work and celebrate your employees that are not as fraught with legal landmines. The cost of a few harassment suits, ADA claims, and company car crashes in which your company is held liable because you offered the alcohol are all things to think about before embracing this trend. Then there are the benefits costs from overstressed and overworked employees, who are heading for chronic illness and will be using more medical benefits. Is that being addressed?

The costs of some rewards that would make employees feel appreciated and cared for might be money better spent. Ideas like onsite dinner delivery, massages, and car washes are just a few. Rewards and education for health initiatives, or speakers and coaching for those who struggle with family issues. Make healthier employees a business priority and spend less time working with your legal team defending lawsuits.

What do you think? Are the risks worth the rewards? Will this trend last? I’d enjoy hearing from you.