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Social Host Liability: Tips For Being A Safe Host

provided courtesy of About.com Small Business Information

Before you host a business party or do some holiday entertaining, be aware of your potential legal liability. Recent court decisions regarding the responsibilities of employers and social hosts mean that if your guests are consuming alcohol at your party:

You have a duty to supervise your guests.
You have to provide transportation for your guests who have been drinking.
You can't allow those of your guests who have consumed alcohol to make their own way home.

What can you do to safeguard yourself and your company? Here are some tips for being a legally safe host at your next business party:

Start a new tradition this year and run an alcohol-free event. - Instead of alcohol, serve an assortment of mocktails, juices, and eggnog (without the rum).
If the traditional evening party is problematical, change it to a breakfast, or a brunch, or turn it into a theme event such as a skating party.

If you do host a business party where alcohol is served:

Be sure you serve plenty of food. - Alcohol consumed with food is absorbed more slowly than alcohol consumed on an empty stomach.
Don't drink much (if anything) yourself. - As the host, you need to keep an eye on how much alcohol your guests are consuming and you'll be able to deal with problems best if you're thinking clearly.
Don't allow guests to pour their own drinks. - Most people drink more when they serve themselves. Mix the drinks yourself and avoid doubles.
Arrange designated drivers beforehand and have cash on hand for those who didn't foresee the need for taxis.
Stop serving alcohol several hours before the party ends. - Bring out more food and alcohol-free drinks.
Find out how your guests are planning to get home. - It's not enough to just ask your guests if they'll "be all right" as they're leaving.
Intervene if necessary. - Be sure you have reliable people to back you up in case you need to actually take someone's keys away from him or her.

Being a safe host is the only way you can ensure that you can relax once the party's over - rather than worrying about whether or not your guests have gotten home safely or having the aftermath of your party drag on and on in the courts.