What Worksites Can Do

Youth access to alcohol in the workplace

Alcohol use in the workplace refers to the consumption of alcohol that occurs within two hours before going to work, in the process of conducting work tasks, during lunch breaks or other breaks, at down times, and at work-related meetings or scheduled events. Results of workplace drinking surveys reveal that a significant number of employees: 1) routinely consume alcohol prior to showing up for work, 2) report to work under the influence of alcohol, and 3) drink or become intoxicated on the job. (1)

There are special issues surrounding alcohol use in the workplace when employees under the age of 21 are involved. Youth consumption of alcohol in the workplace involves not only a violation of an organization's alcohol policy and an increased risk for poor performance and serious injury, but it is also a violation of state law.

Several problems specifically concerning underage drinking in the workplace include the provision of alcohol to underage employees by co-workers over the age of 21, the availability of alcohol at company social events where underage youth are present, and youth access to alcohol in workplaces that have a license to sell alcoholic beverages.

Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees. If an organization is negligent in providing such an environment, it can be held legally and/or financially liable for harm that befalls its employees. In relation to underage access to alcohol, an organization can be held liable if an underage employee obtains alcohol at work or at a company event and that employee is later injured or causes injury to another person. To reduce such liability, organizations need to implement specific, written policies that address youth access to alcohol in the workplace.

• Provide information to all adult employees about the consequences of providing alcohol to underage persons. Adult employees should be informed of civil liability and criminal penalties, as well as corporate sanctions, resulting from such a violation.
• Prevent youth access to alcohol at company events. When alcohol is made available at work social events or work-sponsored events, the employer should take steps to ensure that underage employees do not have access to alcohol. Examples include:
  • Monitoring the alcohol supply at all times.
    
  • Requiring all bartenders and serving staff to check the age identification of all persons who appear younger than age 30.
    
  • Requiring all alcohol servers to be trained in responsible beverage service (to help sellers and servers identify and refuse alcohol service to underage persons).
    
  • Limiting service to one drink per employee per visit to the bar.
    
  • Hiring security staff or having a supervisor present at the event to ensure that underage persons do not have access to alcohol.
    
    

• Prevent youth access to alcohol at licensed establishments. Alcohol policies that address underage access are especially important in businesses that have a license to sell alcohol, such as restaurants, bars or hotels. Examples of policies include:
  • keeping alcoholic beverages under secure lockup or in areas that are inaccessible to underage persons;
  • requiring a supervisor over the age of 21 to be present when an underage worker sells or serves alcohol;
  • informing all underage employees of the laws concerning underage possession and consumption and the penalties for infractions of these laws; and
  • informing all employees that it is illegal to sell alcohol to underage persons.

References:

1. Ames, G. Research and strategies for the primary prevention of workplace alcohol problems. Alcohol Health & Research World, 17(1):19-27, 1993.

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