‘Tis almost that time of the year where the season of celebrating begins. Whether you’re planning your workplace Christmas party or inviting friends around for New Year cheer, there are many ways to celebrate and relax without involving alcohol. Have a shared lunch, a Friday night BBQ, a family quiz night, or hold an event at the beach or a park. This can help make the focus about the wider workplace whānau enjoying each other’s company in an alcohol-free setting.
If you have decided to include alcohol at your event, it’s important you know your responsibilities as a host. This includes setting expectations in advance and modelling good behaviour yourself, planning entertainment or activities to get people up out of their chairs, providing substantial food and appealing non-alcoholic beverages (or mocktails), limiting the amount of alcohol provided, and organising transport so staff get home safely. If alcohol is ever being served it’s good to remember that less is always better.
For more great tips check out alcohol.org.nz and reduce your stress as the host. Also check out the Alcohol and Other Drugs Priority Wellbeing Area on the WorkWell website.
