Is drinking allowed at your office?

[Anonymous]

Strange question, I know. I started a new job in a technical field a couple of weeks ago, so I'm a newcomer. I think it is very strange that, in our office refrigerator, there is lots of beer and wine (bought by the company, who keeps it stocked). At the end of the day, you will see people sitting at the communal table drinking beer and wine. This happens regularly. Each Friday there is a happy hour that starts at about 5:30 and there is a full table of people drinking. This often includes the senior executives in the company.

I've never been in a company where there is so much alcohol on site and where people so freely drink in the office. A couple of times I'm one of the last to leave (still learning the new job) and I have to walk past a table full of guys I barely know who are drinking quite a bit. That feels odd at work.

Should I be worried about the judgement of this company? How would you react to a place like this.

[Anonymous]

What kind of company is this?

[Anonymous]

Back in early 90s, I worked at a small trade assn. every Friday, they gave me the company credit card and sent me to the CVS to buy beer. We then had happy hour for a bit before people headed out. I was barely 21, right out of school. Thought it was the greatest thing ever. I was usually on my way downtown for drinks, so it was a nice little pre-game for me.

[Anonymous]

I used to work for a construction company that had a built in wine bar in the office. Honestly, it was awesome. It was agreat way to get people from different departments and levels to mingle. I'd be delighted to work at a place like that again.

[Anonymous]

My company does this too and I am also relatively new. Except at my company all the booze is kept in a separate locked refrigerator.

It's only unlocked during happy hours every Friday. Seems fine to me, but I'd much rather get out of there to be with family so I don't often participate.

[Anonymous]

We have this. Our office has a great balcony which means if the weather is nice then 5:00 on Friday people are out there having a drink. Typically everyone is gone by 6 or 6:30. Love it though we also stock sodas and seltzers so you can drink or not drink.

[Anonymous]

We used to do this at our firm when things were going well. Not every night, but once a month with leftovers. Now we do a happy hour maybe every other month. It's cheaper to go to costco and have a hr in the office then paying for it at a bar.

[Anonymous]

I know of 4 law offices, where it is perfectly acceptable to have a drink in the office after 5:30 or 6:00. One office buys alcohol a weekly happy hour for staff and attorneys on Friday evening.

[Anonymous]

Is this a potential liability issue?

[Anonymous]

Technically it's not allowed but I know a few partners who keep wine in their offices and have been in a few late meetings that ended with an impromptu happy hour

[Anonymous]

My office has this as well. Similar to another PP they also stock water, seltzer, and soda too. It is very much a privilege so it is not abused in our office (e.g. Not nightly, not at lunch, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Seems awesome to me.

[Anonymous]

I worked in a dental office for years and we always had some beer in the fridge. Dr's restocked as needed. Months could go by and one not be touched and then we'd have a streak of a couple after work once a week for a few weeks. Sometimes Dr's joined us, sometimes not. We put it on hold for a short period of time once one of the staff members got convicted of her second DUI after the office Xmas party, but once she was fired a few months later, we resumed =)

[Anonymous]

Yes, at both of the finance companies I've worked at there has been beer in the fridge.
They even have the Margarita Man come in occasionally. It definitely helps morale.

[Anonymous]

In the tech industry it used to be common that the company sponsored beer parties or other social events that included alcohol in moderation. Since you are new, and you considering disrupting this legacy perk for everyone else?