Tips for employers and people hosting parties

• Set your expectations in advance. Say that you won’t be impressed by drunken behaviour.
• Be up front and tell them drink driving isn’t your only worry – you don’t want any accidents or embarrassing episodes.
• As the employer you’re the host. You should implement host responsibility provisions and ensure the function doesn’t get out of hand.
• So get loads of substantial food rolling early on in the evening.
• Serve more interesting non-alcoholic drinks than just orange juice. It’s surprising how people will really enjoy something like a grapefruit and tonic with a chunk of mint in it for a change.
• Don’t keep serving people who are getting intoxicated. Brief your waiters if it’s an in-house party. If it’s on a licensed premise, it shouldn’t happen anyway because it’s illegal to allow people to become intoxicated.
• Really watch out for the younger staff, particularly those under 18. And check how the law applies if you’re the host or taking them out to a licensed premise.
• Arrange for taxis to take people home. And model good behaviour yourself.