Before you host a business party or do some holiday entertaining, be aware of your potential legal liability. Because of social host liability, you could be paying for your business party for a long time to come if you don't take the required steps to be a safe party host. The recent Canadian court decisions regarding the responsibilities of employers and social hosts mean that if your guests are consuming alcohol at your business party:
You have a duty to supervise your guests.
You have to provide transportation for your guests who have been drinking.
You can't allow those of your business party guests who have consumed alcohol to make their own way home.
What can you do to safeguard yourself and your company? Here are some party host tips for being a legally safe host at your next business party:
- Start a new tradition this year and run an alcohol-free business party. Instead of alcohol, serve an assortment of mocktails, juices, and eggnog (without the rum). If the traditional evening business party is problematical, change it to a breakfast, or a tea, or turn it into a theme event such as a skating party. This Mocktail Guide from the LCBO has some great ideas for delicious drink alternatives.
Party Host Tips for Hosting a Business Party Where Alcohol is Served:
- Be sure you serve plenty of food. Alcohol consumed with food is absorbed more slowly than alcohol consumed on an empty stomach.
- Don't drink much (if anything) yourself. As the business party host, you need to keep an eye on how much alcohol your guests are consuming and you'll be able to deal with problems best if you're thinking clearly.
- Don't allow guests to pour their own drinks at your business party. Most people drink more when they serve themselves. Mix the drinks yourself and avoid doubles.
- Arrange designated drivers beforehand and have cash on hand for those who didn't foresee the need for taxis.
- Stop serving alcohol several hours before your business party ends. Bring out more food and alcohol-free drinks.
- Find out how your business party guests are planning to get home. It's not enough to just ask your guests if they'll "be all right" as they're leaving.
- Intervene if necessary. Be sure you have reliable people to back you up in case you need to actually take someone's keys away from him or her.
For more tips on being a responsible party host, visit your local liquor store, or the Liquor Control Board of Ontario web site.
Being a safe party host is the only way you can ensure that you can relax once your business party's over - rather than worrying about whether or not your guests have gotten home safely or having the aftermath of your party drag on and on in the courts.
