Traditional post-work drinks should be replaced by “virtual” or sober social events to accommodate a change in “Gen Z” attitudes, a report has said.
In the recommendations, employers have been urged to bin off alcohol-focused social events in a push to create “inclusive and healthy workplace cultures” for those who either don’t drink or work from home.
The report – compiled by Lancaster University think tank the Work Foundation, and the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) – says that firms should consider canning the description of work socials as “drinks” altogether.
In its place, events should be labelled “networking” or “gatherings” to appeal to Gen Z sensibilities, the report says.
Employers have been urged to bin off alcohol-focused social events
PA
It continues: “Whilst ‘after-work drinks’ have long been a staple of socialising and workplace culture, in recent years there has been a shift in attitudes towards the appropriateness of centring workplace social activities outside of working hours or around the consumption of alcohol.
“This can include a need for virtual celebrations when teams are spread out remotely, or an emphasis on socialising within work hours to ensure that those with long commutes or caring responsibilities outside of work hours do not miss out.”
In a bid to make socials more “accessible”, employers have also been urged to “run activities that do not centre on alcohol, and host morning, lunch, or afternoon gatherings to include those with caring responsibilities and/or disabilities who may struggle to attend evening events”.
IARD’s CEO Julian Braithwaite said: “Employers need to encourage a different type of socialising than the traditional default of just going to the pub after work.
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The report has been partially compiled by Lancaster University think tank the Work Foundation
Lancaster University
“There shouldn’t be an implicit assumption that a work event means going for drinks.
“Older managers need to understand that younger generations – Generation Z – may have a different attitude to what it means to socialise.”
While Work Foundation director Ben Harrison drew attention to a lack of so-called “inclusive and productive” culture in the workplace – and urged employers to avoid “reinforcing inequalities”.
Harrison said: “Our study shows that employers recognise the benefits of this increasingly multigenerational workforce, but many are not putting in place age-friendly policies and support mechanisms to support an inclusive and productive workplace culture.
Ben Harrison called for all employers to enforce guidelines around the consumption of alcohol
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“In particular, relatively few have put policies in place on issues like menopause support or guidance on alcohol and socialising.
“If you’re looking to bring different teams, generations and colleagues together you need to make sure all those individuals feel able to participate and relax and enjoy themselves.
“All employers should have guidelines in place around the consumption of alcohol.
“Organisations are starting to think much more thoughtfully about how they create that social space in order to make sure that they’re not essentially reinforcing inequalities in the workplace.”
Source Agencies
