Is it OK to drink at a company outing to baseball game?

[Free4Life11]

We had a paid company outing today to a minor league baseball game this afternoon. It was a lot of fun but the big drama was, we're we allowed to drink or not! Someone said we were allowed to "with discretion" and someone else said we couldn't and if we did we wouldn't be paid. Higher up's didn't clarify either way. Corporate policy is drug free, meaning you can't report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs (unless valid prescription). But it doesn't mention anything about off site events, where you go straight home from the event. HR will be crediting everyone 4 hours for a "corporate event" on our paycheck.

What do you think?

I should add, our office is getting shut down in 2010, so within 6-9 months we are all being laid off. Maybe that makes a difference or not.

 

[Liberty Belle]

If you're getting paid, I would think alcohol would not be allowed. Even if you weren't getting paid, I don't think it's a good idea.

 

[AshleyW]

We had a paid company outing today to a minor league baseball game this afternoon. It was a lot of fun but the big drama was, we're we allowed to drink or not! Someone said we were allowed to "with discretion" and someone else said we couldn't and if we did we wouldn't be paid. Higher up's didn't clarify either way. Corporate policy is drug free, meaning you can't report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs (unless valid prescription). But it doesn't mention anything about off site events, where you go straight home from the event. HR will be crediting everyone 4 hours for a "corporate event" on our paycheck.

What do you think?

I would think that since you got paid to be there - drinking wouldn't be allowed. If it was just a regular company night at the ball game (after work hours) or a company picnic or something -- any situation where you aren't getting paid, it would be okay to drink (in moderation, hah). But, since you're getting paid for it, it's still work.

 

[Chicago526]

My company has outings, if alcohol is available for purchase, just about everyone has a drink or two. At hotel functions HR even makes sure the hotel sets up a cash bar, in fact.

That said, it varies from company to company, both actuall writien policy and company culture can be wildly different at different employers.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I guess it depends on your corporate culture.


When I went to these type of events at my last job, alcohol was not only okay, but the firm usually paid for it. And yes we were all getting paid to be there. Usually firm outings took place in the afternoon, so everyone worked 4 hrs. in the morning and left for the event.

 

[mtdevine615]

In my company if it's offsite they usually have and open bar. No drinking allowed on site anymore.

A good rule of thumb is if you see the boss drinking then it should be fine.

 

[sbell111]

Take a clue from your boss and his boss. If they're drinking, you could get away with doing so. Of course, even then it's risky. Personally, I'd get a coke and avoid the drama.

MY other thought is this: if you are spending this much time trying to find out if you can drink, perhaps you should not.

 

[C.Ann]

Either way, if the employees have to drive home after this event it would not be a good idea..

 

[DisneyBlonde]

If the company didn't clarify and state their intention (ie: to dock your pay if you drink alcohol)...then I'm thinking it would have been OK to have a beer. I would think that they wouldn't want to encourage drinking by saying it's allowed, and risk someone getting hurt while driving home from an event they hosted. But I bet drinking with discretion wouldn't have been a problem.

 

[DWGal210]

Either way, if the employees have to drive home after this event it would not be a good idea..

Very good point, C.Ann...you would think they wouldn't want employees to drink because of the liability of people driving home.

My barometer would be: if you are getting paid, and it's a company event, then no. If it's a picnic or gathering after work hours and is not paid, then go ahead. But I am still cautious drinking around co-workers and the bosses, even after hours.

 

[kinntj]

A good rule of thumb is if you see the boss drinking then it should be fine.

This is what we go by for DH's work functions. Then we have 1-2 drinks and then follow the rest of the night drinking Cokes.

 

[Rora]

if you're getting paid, i would think alcohol would not be allowed. Even if you weren't getting paid, i don't think it's a good idea.

ita 100%.

 

[Handbag Lady]

A good rule of thumb is if you see the boss drinking then it should be fine.

This is what I was going to say.

But in the case of the OP, I would not have had any alcohol.

 

[pearlieq]

Drinking is always acceptable, and even expected, at our company outings, especially to baseball games. Your boss is supposed to buy you a beer, though I'm not a drinker, so I get ice cream instead.

However, my company is pretty liberal on that front and it honestly wouldn't have even really been frowned upon to get sloppy, even though I would never recommend it.

When in doubt, play it safe. If you see the brass walking around with beers, feel free to have one, but don't go much past that.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Either way, if the employees have to drive home after this event it would not be a good idea..

I also totally agree with this one.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I was on the clock, I would not drink. If my boss bought me a beer I would drink it and leave it at the 1.

 

[onelilspark]

At our company events, it'd be shocking not to have alcohol. I'm not a big drinker and have actually been questioned where my drink was at!!

I think it depends on the company. As it's been stated, watch your boss. When in doubt, always just be observant of the people above you. Even if you are a "drinker" when with friends, stick to one. No one wants to get sloshed in front of their coworkers...I've seen it, it ain't pretty.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I'd just watch and see what your boss does.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Take a clue from your boss and his boss. If they're drinking, you could get away with doing so. Of course, even then it's risky. Personally, I'd get a coke and avoid the drama.
.

Either way, if the employees have to drive home after this event it would not be a good idea..

agree

 

[EmanuelH]

Hi,

It depends company to company. Some companies allow alcohol during their corporate festivals. Company events and outings can be fun and extremely useful ways to promote corporate team building and employee satisfaction.

A company's success is not measured by a single factor. There are a myriad of factors that can lend to the success or failure of a corporate company including funding, management competence, working in a product or service that has a demand, and employee cohesiveness. The latter is perhaps the most complicated factor to measure and maintain as so many unforeseeable influences can cause extreme unpredictability in any given employee's level of job satisfaction.