As the holiday season approaches, so do the holiday parties.
Some extra planning and precaution is prudent to ensure this
year's holiday party is a safe and enjoyable event for all
staff. As such, if alcohol is served at this year's holiday
party, employers should be particularly alert to the risks
associated with serving alcohol to employees.
An employee who drives impaired after drinking at a company
holiday party poses a risk of foreseeable harm, not only to
him/herself, but also to the general public. Except in Quebec,
employers may be liable for losses suffered by third parties such
as passengers and other road users in the event of a car accident
caused by an impaired employee.1 Therefore, if
adequate steps are not taken by an employer to ensure employees get
home safely, an employer may be liable not only for injuries
suffered by an employee who drives home impaired, but also for the
injuries suffered by third parties, such as passengers and other
road users.
