Alcohol and Inclusion at Work

In Western culture, alcohol is often used as a connector between people outside work and even in workplaces. We celebrate milestones with champagne, take potential clients out for drinks to discuss business, and gift colleagues and staff with wine over the holidays and on special occasions. Many of these decisions are made without even giving them much thought.

Alcohol is incredibly embedded in our cultures, including within the workplace, which can often be alienating for people who do not drink. I know because I’ve been there, whether it's colleagues talking about their weekend and recommending certain beers to me that they tried, or people offering to thank me with wine for my help on a stressful project.

One situation stands out to me. I remember in a previous job, we were celebrating a workplace retirement., while typically this office did not have a culture shaped significantly around alcohol, this was a big milestone for an employee that had been with the organization for a long time, and they decided to bring out some sparkling wine at the company lunch.

I was put in an uncomfortable position as I sat at my table there was already a glass of sparkling wine poured in anticipation of a toast. Within this workplace, we had many folks who abstained from alcohol for religious reasons. They were provided with alternatives and approached before this celebration. While there was no ill intent and steps were taken to provide religious accommodations, they made the mistake of assuming that if you did not have religious restrictions surrounding alcohol, you would partake in the consumption of alcohol.

I felt quite unseen and excluded at that moment as I was faced with a few options on how to address the situation. Do I go up to seek an alternative? Will anyone question me if I don’t drink from the glass in front of me? Not only could this situation leave someone feeling excluded, but for people that are in recovery, a situation like this could be incredibly triggering especially considering the social pressures that can be present with alcohol.

Of course, alcohol is embedded in our social fabric, and the goal here is not to eliminate it entirely from special events but to take a mindful approach when it comes to these situations and to provide options to those who do not drink. Here are some strategies you can take to provide a more inclusive culture in situations for non-drinkers where alcohol may be involved:

  1. Do not assume somebody drinks or does not drink.

It is best not to assume that everybody at an event or business meeting is partaking in alcohol. And this helps with both people who choose sobriety but also for someone who may just not feel like drinking that day. Don’t pre-fill glasses at events, and make sure to ask if someone would like an alcoholic beverage before providing it to them.

If you are a manager considering getting your teammates gifts for the holidays or for a promotion, try to avoid alcohol-related gifts. They are often considered universal gifts, but the reality is that not everyone drinks.

  1. Provide alternative options beyond water and pop.

I’ve been there, you’re at an event, and you’re not drinking, but the non-alcoholic options are underwhelming and limited. Make sure to have options that match the others that are available. For example: if you are celebrating a milestone event and are offering champagne or sparkling wine, consider sparkling apple or pear juice for those who are not drinking so they can still feel included in the celebration. When in doubt, you can always ask or put out a survey to a group providing options for what they would like to drink at an event.

  1. Do not ask why somebody is not drinking, and do not make assumptions about the reasons for this.

This is not any of your business and is incredibly disrespectful to do to someone. There are many reasons why someone may be a non-drinker: they could have a history of alcohol and substance abuse and be in recovery, they could have religious or spiritual reasons for abstaining, they could be pregnant, or they could simply choose not to be drinking right now, or ever!

The truth is that their reasons are not any of your business and are not necessary to know. For people who may be child-bearers, do not assume that they are pregnant if they refuse a drink. If somebody says they are sober, do not ask if they are an alcoholic. If someone feels a sense of trust in you and is ready to share, they will prompt the conversation themselves.

  1. If you do know someone in your workplace that is in recovery, approach them.

If you are planning an event where alcohol may be involved, and you know about somebody within your workplace who is in recovery, do not hesitate to approach them to know their limits and triggers. If they do not feel comfortable sharing, then respect that boundary.

Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all, and people have different comfort levels with being around alcohol. You may feel it is easier to walk on eggshells or police that person during an event, but it’s best to avoid this approach. Have a conversation with that person to accommodate the event as necessary to avoid any triggers. For example, if their trigger is being around hard liquor, then do not offer this at an event out of respect for that person, and stick to things like beer and wine.

To conclude, while alcohol can be used for celebrations and can be a way for many people to connect with one another, not everyone chooses to connect in those ways. While it is deeply woven into the fabric of North American social culture, there are steps we take to adapt our workplace culture to be more mindful and inclusive of people who do not drink alcohol.