Phoenix Business Journal: Why 'Beer Cart Friday' Could Land You In The Courtroom

Shayna Balch was a guest blogger for the Phoenix Business Journal on August 12, 2014.

As an employer, there are few greater rewards than doing something nice and fun for your employees and having that good deed turn into a major benefit for your organization. Simple rewards like catering lunch, free movie tickets or a fan favorite, the Friday Beer Cart, can be great ways to boost morale and encourage socialization.

However, providing alcohol to employees while on the job also comes with great responsibilities. Before breaking out the libations, consider the following:

• Determine if it is really worth the risk
• Create and implement strong policies

While the "Mad Men" era of drinking at work may seem appealing, consider the risks and plan accordingly. The last thing employers need is for Beer Cart Friday to turn into Lawsuit Monday.

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