How to Reduce Your Alcoholic Beverage Liability Risk With Effective Policies
Businesses holding a liquor license are always at a heightened risk for both civil liability and regulatory enforcement. Fortunately, effective policies can reduce this risk significantly. Business owners should consider implementing the following employee policies to ensure compliance with liquor laws and regulations, promote responsible alcohol service, and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for customers:
Alcohol Service Training: Require all employees involved in alcohol service to undergo training on responsible alcohol service. This can include topics such as identifying underage drinkers, recognizing signs of intoxication, and understanding legal requirements for alcohol service. New Hampshire offers a variety of free training modules online, while Maine’s training only requires a nominal fee.
ID Checking Policy: Establish a policy requiring employees to check the identification of anyone who appears to be under the legal drinking age. This helps prevent underage drinking and ensures compliance with age verification laws. The most effective solution is to take the employee out of the transaction, and purchase a system that requires a valid ID scan with each alcohol purchase. For businesses with regular employee turnover, the up-front cost is worth the piece of mind.
Intoxication Policy: Implement a policy prohibiting the service of alcohol to anyone who appears to be intoxicated. Train employees to recognize signs of intoxication and empower them to refuse service when necessary.
Incident Reporting: Require employees to report any incidents related to alcohol service, such as fights, disturbances, or instances of refused service. This can help management address issues promptly and prevent future incidents. You should maintain an incident log with your follow-up action taken in each case.
Safe Transportation Policy: Encourage employees to promote safe transportation options for customers who may be intoxicated, such as offering to call a taxi or rideshare service.
These are just a few policy ideas that businesses can implement to help ensure compliance with liquor laws, promote responsible alcohol service, and create a safer environment for both customers and employees. There is no one-size fits all solution, and working with an experienced advisor can help you build the right policy package for your business.
