Drinking with Coworkers – How to Make it a Safe and Including Event

Background: In Norway, as in many western countries, drinking alcohol with coworkers is a common practice. A recent study showed that 93% of Norwegian employees reported drinking alcohol the past 12 months. Many employees consider drinking with coworkers as important for work-related networking, and consider alcohol as a natural part of celebrations at work. But drinking with coworkers may also have negative consequences. More than 1 in 10 of Norwegian employees’ avoid social events at the workplace due to alcohol use. The same proportions experience social pressure to drink alcohol in work-contexts. 7 % has experienced unwanted sexual attention, almost 5 % report that they have been verbally abused, and almost 2 % physically harmed.

Objectives: Create a tool which will raise awareness and encourage reflection on consequences of the drinking culture at the workplace, without removing the positive aspects of drinking with coworkers.

Methods: To create dialogue and awareness of the drinking culture in the workplace, we have created 'The Party', an innovative and interactive course on partying and work. The course is designed as a chat story, where the participants themselves must make choices and aims to create reflection on real dilemmas one may encounter in real life. It is available for use on mobile phones, pc and tablets.

Conclusions: The presentation will include our experience and feedback from a variety of companies who have completed 'The Party'.