Drinking Alcohol at Work-related Events

HR: Leading People, Leading Organizations © 2006 SHRMSHRM Weekly Online Survey: November 8, 2006

Drinking Alcohol at Work-related Events

• Sample comprised of 505 randomly selected HR professionals.

• Analyzing 505 responses of 2848 emails sent, 2600 emails were received (response rate = 20%).

• Survey fielded November 8 – November 14, 2006; presentation generated on November 16, 2006.

• Margin of error is +/- 5%.

Note: The number of respondents to each question is indicated by “n” in figures.


Does your organization have a formal (written) or informal policy addressing drinking alcohol at work-related events (e.g., lunch with co-worker, company events, job interview over lunch or dinner, happy hour, dinner with client, etc.)?

38%

5%

27%

31%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

No, my organizationhas no plans to create

a policy

No, but myorganization plans tocreate a policy withinthe next 12 months

Yes, we have aninformal policy

Yes, we have a formalpolicy

n=483

Note: Percentage may not total 100% due to rounding. Excludes respondent who answered don’t know.


Does your organization have a formal (written) or informal policy addressing drinking alcohol at work-related events (e.g., lunch with co-worker, company events, job interview over lunch or dinner, happy hour, dinner with client, etc.)?

Choice Count Percentage Answered

Yes, we have a formal policy 150 31%

Yes, we have an informal policy 129 27%

No, but my organization plans to create a policy within the next 12 months

23 5%

No, my organization has no plans to create a policy 181 38%


Acceptability of drinking alcohol at work-related events in the past 24 months

3%

12%

85%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

More acceptable Less acceptable Remained at the same levelof acceptability

n=483


Acceptability of drinking alcohol at work-related events in the past 24 months


More acceptable 13 3%

Less acceptable 58 12%

Remained at the same level of acceptability 398 85%


Which of the following work-related events is drinking alcohol accepted at your organization?

2%

2%

4%

5%

5%

6%

9%

14%

22%

28%

32%

40%

70%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Conferences

Company sponsored sports events

Meal during a job interview

Employee recognition/service award

Company picnic

Happy hour after work

Meal between a supervisior and subordinate

None

Meal with a co-worker

Celebration of company milestone

Retirement party

Meal with a client/customer

Holiday Party

Note: Percentage does not total 100% as multiple responses were allowed.

n=501


Which of the following work-related events is drinking alcohol accepted at your organization?

Choice Percent of Cases

Holiday party 70%

Meal with a client/customer (e.g., lunch, dinner, etc)

40%

Retirement party 32%

Celebration of company milestone 28%

Meal with a co-worker (e.g., lunch, dinner, etc) 22%

None 14%

Meal between a supervisor and subordinate 9%

Happy hour after work 6%

Company picnic 5%

Employee recognition/service award 5%

Meal during a job interview 4%

Company sponsored events 2%

Conferences 2%


In the past 24 months, has any employee in your organization been disciplined because of drinking alcohol at a work-related event?

1%

13%

86%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Yes, this often occurs Yes, but this rarely occurs No

Note: Excludes respondent who answered don’t know.

n=453


In the past 24 months, has any employee in your organization been disciplined because of drinking alcohol at a work-related event?


Yes, this often occurs 5 1%

Yes, but this rarely occurs 59 13%

No 389 86%

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Drinking Alcohol at Work-related Events