Businesses And Beers: Where Can You Drink?

Drinking beer at work is a topic that has sparked debates and raised concerns among employees, employers, and legal experts. While some argue that it improves morale, creativity, and employee connections, others highlight the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption in the workplace, including safety, liability, and health issues. Ultimately, the legality of drinking beer at work varies depending on the state, local laws, and company policies, with some states explicitly allowing or prohibiting bartenders and employees from consuming alcohol while working.

Beer as a creative aid

Drinking beer can have a positive impact on creativity. A study by Dr. Mathias Benedek, assistant professor at the University of Graz in Austria, found that moderate alcohol consumption can enhance creativity. The study, which involved 70 participants, showed that alcohol impaired executive brain functions, but improved creativity and word association.

Another study, reported in the Harvard Business Review, showed that men who had consumed several vodka cranberry cocktails performed better and faster at solving word puzzles than a sober control group.

A research-focused design and branding agency, Office of Overview, developed a low-strength beer called Creative Juice, which could be consumed during work hours to enhance creativity. The beer has 2.1% alcohol and was designed as a "desk beer" to kick-start the creative process.

While drinking beer can have positive effects on creativity, it is important to consider the potential negative consequences of drinking alcohol in the workplace. Alcohol can impair cognitive control and executive functions, making tasks requiring analytical thinking more difficult. Additionally, drinking alcohol in the workplace can lead to safety hazards, liability issues, and negative impacts on employees with addiction issues or religious beliefs that prohibit alcohol consumption.

Beer as a social lubricant

Beer is a social lubricant. It is a substance that stimulates social interactions and helps people feel more comfortable in social occasions. Alcoholic beverages, such as beer in pub culture, have been consumed in the company of other people for thousands of years.

Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol in a group setting boosts people’s emotions and enhances social bonding. It can help employees foster connections, feel appreciated, and keep them committed to the company. It can also help employees relax and provide a mood boost, helping them decompress after a tough day.

However, there are also potential downsides to drinking alcohol in the workplace. Alcohol can loosen inhibitions, which can lead to inappropriate conduct and an increased risk of sexual harassment. It can also compromise the sobriety of recovering alcoholics and lead to peer pressure and uncomfortable conversations. There are also liability issues to consider, as well as the potential for employees to drive under the influence.

Overall, while beer can be a social lubricant, it is important to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before allowing alcohol in the workplace.

Beer as a reward

Beer is a popular reward for customers and employees alike. Many businesses offer beer-related rewards to their loyal customers. For example, World of Beer offers its customers a free beer or food item for their birthday, as well as other rewards and challenges. Beer Merchants offers double reward points on all online purchases during promotional periods, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. Revolution Brewing has a similar loyalty program, where customers can earn points for every dollar spent and redeem them for credits.

Some businesses also use beer as a reward for their employees. Start-ups have been known to offer in-office bars, and some companies have a tradition of Friday afternoon drinking sessions. Beer can incentivize employee performance, help employees bond, alleviate workplace stress, and improve creative problem-solving abilities. However, there are also several cons to allowing alcohol in the workplace. It can lead to inappropriate conduct, exclude some workers, compromise the sobriety of recovering alcoholics, and create liability issues.

Beer as a health risk

While beer may have some health benefits, excessive consumption can lead to a variety of health issues and may also open up legal problems for businesses.

Health Risks of Beer Consumption

Beer is a drink that has been consumed for years and is made by fermenting starches, usually malted barley, with yeast. The major components of beer are barley, hops, water, and yeast. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. The health effects of beer depend on the amount consumed and individual factors such as age, sex, and medical history.

Positive Health Effects of Light to Moderate Beer Consumption

Light to moderate beer consumption, typically defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, has been associated with the following positive health effects:

• Reduced risk of heart disease and improved vascular health
• Improved memory and thinking skills in older males
• Reduced risk of congestive heart failure in individuals aged 65 and older
• Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improved blood sugar control
• Reduced risk of airway infections caused by exercise in male athletes
• Improved bone mass in postmenopausal women, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis
• Reduced risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer
• Lower risk of all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older individuals

Negative Health Effects of Excessive Beer Consumption

Excessive beer consumption, which generally refers to drinking more than the recommended amount, can lead to various negative health consequences:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Neuropsychiatric diseases
• Increased risk of injury or death due to risky behaviour
• Dependence or addiction
• Liver problems
• Certain types of cancer
• Blackouts
• Drowsiness
• Low blood sugar
• Vomiting
• Worsening of pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, GERD, gout, heart conditions, high blood pressure, insomnia, liver disease, neurological conditions, pancreatitis, stomach ulcers, and mental health conditions
• Negative interactions with certain medications

Legal Implications of Beer Consumption in a Business Setting

Allowing or encouraging beer consumption in a business setting can carry significant legal risks. Here are some potential legal implications:

• If employees drink beer during work hours or on company property and subsequently get injured, the company and supervisors may be held liable.
• If employees drive under the influence after consuming beer at work and get into an accident, the company may face legal consequences.
• Alcohol can increase the risk of inappropriate conduct, such as sexual harassment, which can lead to expensive payouts.
• Making alcohol readily available can compromise the sobriety of recovering alcoholics and individuals with addiction issues.
• Businesses may need to navigate liability issues related to alcohol use, including insurance policies and ensuring employees get home safely.

Beer as a liability

Beer, and alcohol in general, can be a liability for businesses. While some companies have embraced drinking as a team-building activity, there are many risks associated with it.

One of the primary concerns is the potential for drunk driving, which can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. If an employee gets into an accident after drinking at work, the company and the supervisor may be held liable. This can result in legal issues and significant financial consequences.

Another issue is the increased risk of inappropriate conduct, including sexual harassment. Alcohol can lower inhibitions, leading to misconduct and creating an uncomfortable work environment. This can result in expensive payouts for sexual harassment lawsuits.

Additionally, allowing alcohol in the workplace can exclude certain employees, such as those with addiction issues, religious beliefs prohibiting alcohol consumption, or health issues. It can also create peer pressure and uncomfortable conversations for those who choose not to drink.

Making alcohol readily available can also compromise the sobriety of recovering alcoholics, putting their progress at risk and potentially leading to a relapse.

Furthermore, there are liability issues associated with alcohol use. Companies need to consider their insurance policies, designated drivers or transportation arrangements, and monitoring consumption to ensure employees don't overindulge.

The potential consequences of alcohol-related incidents can be severe, and businesses may find themselves facing legal and financial troubles if they don't manage alcohol consumption responsibly.

While drinking may be seen as a way to foster connections and improve creativity, businesses must carefully weigh the risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. This may include implementing policies, providing alternative team-building activities, and seeking legal and insurance advice to protect themselves from liability.

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