With the multitude of Holiday parties in full swing, we must
remember our responsibilities as event planners, corporations and citizens to
do our part in ensuring everyone arrives home alive to their families this
Christmas season.
When planning the annual company holiday party (or any party
involving alcohol consumption), I advise companies to focus on their due
diligence. Companies can and have been
held partially responsible for duty of care for the actions their employees
take at their corporate holiday functions.
Here are some tips for ensuring your company is taking care
in leading by example for making your event memorable for the right reasons:
- Announce and advertise that your event promotes sober driving.
- Arrange to have taxi chits available for any employees who want them. Make sure to record the number of the chit and who has it on the form. Follow up after the event and ask that all unused chits be returned. Taxi chits can be costly; however, the cost for a cab ride is substantially lower to the cost of a life and any litigation for the employer.
- Have your MC include in the “housekeeping” at the beginning of the night what options are available to your guests. Also remind them that this includes calling police for any suspected drunk drivers.
- Is your party being held at a hotel? Often block bookings can be made at hotels for guests to stay the night after partying hard at your event. Ask your hotel representative if they have a program for this.
- Speak with agencies such as Operation Red Nose if they are in your area.
- Monitor the consumption of your guests throughout the evening. Identify and act on those that may have had too much.
- Ensure that your servers are ProServe certified. This is a legal requirement in Alberta for anyone serving alcohol.
- Hold your party during the day time hour and have a dry party.
- Ask for signature non-alcoholic beverages and then promote them at your event.
- Have all designated drivers wear a wrist band so they are identified and bartenders know not to serve any alcohol to them. Thank them openly for being a part of your sober management program. Cover the cost for them to drink pop, juice and coffee at your event.
- Have someone stationed at the exit to ask your guests how they are getting home. Support them should any issues arise.
- Make arrangements with a taxi company to have a few cars onsite at the conclusion of your event.
- Speak with your insurance provider on your responsibilities for Host Liquor Liabilities.
- Read “When Good Parties Go Bad: Liability For Employers” by McMillan http://www.mcmillan.ca/93731
- Contact MADD for additional support and tips
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Finally, here are some tips to consider as a guest while
attending your corporate holiday function:
- Speak with your employer and ask them how they are promoting sober driving at the holiday party.
- If you notice someone overly intoxicated at the function, take action! Notify your host; ask them for assistance in handling this (at times) delicate situation.
- Call police if you suspect someone to be driving while intoxicated. Yes, it may be awkward and uncomfortable if this is someone you know personally however no amount of discomfort is worse than a loss of life or injury.
- While soberly driving, if you notice checkstops or where police are located, please don’t announce it on social media sites or on the radio. They are there to catch drunk drivers and save your life from being impacted because of it. Support the local authorities in ensuring everyone gets home alive.
- Offer to be a designated driver and choose not to drink. Parties are a hoot when you’re sober!
- Obviously…don’t drink and drive.
The holiday season is full of love, laughter and
merriment! Lets keep it that way.
