Businesses are urged to limit the amount of alcohol served at workplace social events to prevent people from behaving inappropriately towards others.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) warning comes as it releases a new survey suggesting a third of managers have seen harassment or inappropriate behavior at parties.
Women reported observing this behavior more often than men.
The chief of the CMI said alcohol “doesn’t have to be the main event” at parties.
Sarah, who is 27 and works in finance, agrees.
“There’s still wild partying in my industry, but I think that needs to change,” she told the BBC.
“I am very careful not to drink too much at company parties. If people want to go out and buy lots of drinks after the event, that’s up to them, but I think drinking at corporate parties can lead to inappropriate or regrettable behavior. “
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Sarah says it’s important for colleagues to be able to socialize, but alcohol shouldn’t always be the primary focus.
“Many of my friends don’t drink, or they may be taking medication to stop them drinking. It’s uncomfortable for them when they’re at a work party and they have to ask three times just to get a soft drink and you might feel pressured to drink too.”
The CMI, a professional body focusing on management and leadership, surveyed more than 1,000 executives at the end of April.
The survey, seen exclusively by the BBC, found that nearly one in three managers (29%) report observing inappropriate behavior or harassment at company parties.
33% of women surveyed said they had seen this behavior before, compared to 26% of men.
Overall, two in five (42%) said working groups should be organized around activities that do not involve alcohol. This was most often said by younger people between the ages of 16 and 34.
CMI chief executive Ann Francke told the BBC that being in touch with colleagues is “a great team building opportunity” that many people enjoy.
However, she added that managers have a responsibility to keep inappropriate behavior at bay and ensure safety precautions are in place.
“That could mean adding additional activities besides alcohol, limiting the amount of drinks available per person, or ensuring that people who drink too much are prevented from behaving inappropriately towards others.”
It comes after the CBI business lobby group plunged into crisis after allegations of a rape at a summer work party in 2019 and other sexual misconduct at the organization surfaced last month. A second rape allegation later surfaced, the Guardian reported.
Both rape allegations are being investigated by police.
Alison Loveday, an employment lawyer and business consultant, said many companies now see alcohol-fuelled work parties as “too big a risk”.
“Today, drunk company parties are the exception rather than the rule. It’s gone down a lot because you’ve realized that alcohol and a lot of people don’t necessarily mix well,” she said.
John, who is 66 and has worked a variety of jobs over the years, says he has seen many people embarrassing and misbehaving at company parties.
“Alcohol definitely changes behavior, so drinking on duty is a risk,” he says.
He believes that social events in the workplace should be associated with an activity with little or no alcohol.
“There are a lot of alternatives, like paintball, escape rooms or laser quest,” he said. “If you ask the group, they’ll usually be willing to try something different instead of the same old binge drinking.”
However, pub keeper Leigh Watts, who runs the Greyhound Inn in Coventry, says alcohol can still play a role at company parties.
“People need to relax and laugh, especially post-Covid, and having a few drinks with colleagues is part of that,” he told the BBC.
Mr Watts hosted his own staff party last month, giving workers aged 16 to 70 an open bar.
“It’s about being reasonable and knowing the limits. But you can still have fun,” he said.
CIPD’s David D’Souza said work society events could become even more important as hybrid work emerges.
“While they can and should be fun, organizations and leaders must not neglect their legal and ethical responsibilities to keep employees safe – responsibilities they have every day in the workplace.”
A total of 1,009 executives participated in the CMI survey, which was conducted between April 20 and 26, 2023. The questions about working groups were asked as part of a survey sent regularly to CMI members.
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