- Original Poster
- #1
Hi,
I am the accountant for a small but rapidly growing private business.
We have always re-imbursed our employees travelling and subsistance expenses while staying away for business. Historically, although our starter pack included a policy that alcoholic beverages would not be repaid, it has never been enforced.
However, with a workforce that has gone from 12 to over 50 in less than 2 years it is now becoming a serious issue. We have updated our policy and now offer to cover the costs of '2 standard alcoholic drinks as long as they are puchased with a meal'. Obviously they can have more drinks than this, but only 2 will be repaid.
My question is a mix of ethical and legal responsibilities for the employer.
There has been a lot of news recently regarding the increased size and strengths of alcoholic drinks in relation to the number of units consumed. Essentially one pint of a stronger beer can actually be as much as 3.5 units - 2 pints being 7 units. The recommended daily consumption rate is 3 to 4 units for men. If our employees are away say 2 weeks every month, and have 2 pints pretty much every night (that we are reimbursing and have the receipts for) - do we not have a responsibility regarding their health?
In addition, if there should be an accident of any type while they are away and they are found to be over the limit - where does that place us as the employer who paid for it? (Or some of it if they had more than 2 drinks).
I have tried to look at other cases like this on the internet but have found surprisingly little - most companies use a 'no alcohol' policy or allow it only by authorisation of line managers. I would like us to use this as well, and think that the answers to these questions may help in obtaining this.
Any help, comments or links to relevant information will be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.
I am the accountant for a small but rapidly growing private business.
We have always re-imbursed our employees travelling and subsistance expenses while staying away for business. Historically, although our starter pack included a policy that alcoholic beverages would not be repaid, it has never been enforced.
However, with a workforce that has gone from 12 to over 50 in less than 2 years it is now becoming a serious issue. We have updated our policy and now offer to cover the costs of '2 standard alcoholic drinks as long as they are puchased with a meal'. Obviously they can have more drinks than this, but only 2 will be repaid.
My question is a mix of ethical and legal responsibilities for the employer.
There has been a lot of news recently regarding the increased size and strengths of alcoholic drinks in relation to the number of units consumed. Essentially one pint of a stronger beer can actually be as much as 3.5 units - 2 pints being 7 units. The recommended daily consumption rate is 3 to 4 units for men. If our employees are away say 2 weeks every month, and have 2 pints pretty much every night (that we are reimbursing and have the receipts for) - do we not have a responsibility regarding their health?
In addition, if there should be an accident of any type while they are away and they are found to be over the limit - where does that place us as the employer who paid for it? (Or some of it if they had more than 2 drinks).
I have tried to look at other cases like this on the internet but have found surprisingly little - most companies use a 'no alcohol' policy or allow it only by authorisation of line managers. I would like us to use this as well, and think that the answers to these questions may help in obtaining this.
Any help, comments or links to relevant information will be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.
