Applies to
- All managers, assistant managers, shift leads, and anyone acting in a supervisory role (“Managers”)
1) Purpose
- Managers represent the company whenever interacting with staff or customers.
- Alcohol-related conduct that creates safety risks, reputational harm, workplace discomfort, or performance issues is prohibited.
2) Core rule
- Managers must not be impaired by alcohol or any substance while working, on-call, supervising staff, representing the company, or performing any management duties.
- Managers must always be fit for duty and able to lead professionally.
3) Safety-sensitive duties and fit-for-duty rules
- No alcohol when performing, preparing to perform, or reasonably expected to perform any management duties.
Managers must not consume alcohol when they are
- Scheduled to work or on-call
- Expected to return to work the same day
- Driving or expected to drive for any company-related purpose
- Handling cash, keys, opening/closing duties, safe combinations, alarm codes, or security procedures
- Conducting HR conversations, discipline, investigations, or conflict resolution
Fit-for-duty standard
- Managers must report to work fully fit for duty.
If alcohol consumption could affect alertness, judgment, coordination, attendance, or professionalism, the Manager must not work and must notify their supervisor as early as possible.
Minimum buffer
- Managers must not consume alcohol within 10 hours of a scheduled shift.
4) Pre-approval required for meals or gatherings with staff
Any meal, celebration, or social gathering involving staff where alcohol may be present must be communicated and approved in advance by the next-level manager (or HR/Owner/designee).
Pre-approval request must include
- Date/time and location
- Who will attend (names/roles)
- Purpose (team meal, recognition, onboarding, etc.)
- Whether alcohol will be present
- Transportation plan (who is driving, rideshare plan)
- Spending limits and who pays
- No approval means do not host, sponsor, or attend in a manager capacity.
5) Alcohol limits and conduct at approved staff gatherings
Maximum consumption
- Maximum: 2 standard drinks total at an approved staff event
- Beer or wine only
- Food is required
- No mixing alcohol types
- Pace no more than 1 drink per hour
- If any alcohol is consumed, the Manager must not drive
Standard drink definitions
- Beer: 12 oz (about 5% ABV)
- Wine: 5 oz (about 12% ABV)
- Spirits: 1.5 oz (about 40% ABV)
Prohibited at staff gatherings (even if approved)
- Shots
- Drinking games or chugging
- “Rounds” or forced toasts
- Cocktails
- Chinese hard liquor (for example baijiu/white spirits)
Professional conduct requirements
- No pressure on staff to drink
- No jokes, teasing, or comments that could embarrass or single out any staff member
- No behavior that could reasonably be perceived as harassment, intimidation, favoritism, or retaliation
- Managers must remain calm, respectful, and professional at all times
Time boundary
- Staff-attended events should be limited to 2 hours.
6) Absolute prohibition on drinking and driving
Managers must never drive after consuming alcohol in connection with
- Any company-related activity
- Any staff gathering
- Any situation where the Manager is representing the company
Transportation requirement
If a Manager consumes any alcohol (even one drink), they must use
- Rideshare/taxi, or
- A designated driver who has consumed zero alcohol
7) Private events and off-duty alcohol use that can affect work
The company respects lawful off-duty activities. However, Managers are held to a higher standard because off-duty alcohol use can impact safety, attendance, judgment, and the ability to lead.
Managers must ensure private events where alcohol is present do not result in
- Driving while impaired or any alcohol-related driving incident
- Arrest, citation, or license restriction that affects attendance, reliability, insurance eligibility, or job duties
- Reporting to work hungover, fatigued, late, or otherwise not fit for duty
- If a Manager believes alcohol use at a private event could affect next-day performance, they must proactively notify their supervisor and arrange coverage as early as possible.
8) No purchasing alcohol for staff and no pressure
Managers must not
- Pressure staff to drink or make drinking feel expected
- Provide alcohol to staff as a perk without written approval
- Encourage excessive drinking in any way
- Managers must maintain a respectful environment for all staff.
9) Reporting obligations
Managers must notify upper management or HR within 24 hours, to the extent permitted by law, if
- They are arrested, cited, or charged with DUI/DWI, or refuse a chemical test
- Their driver’s license is suspended or restricted due to alcohol-related driving
- Any alcohol-related incident occurs involving staff (complaints, harassment, violence, unsafe conduct)
- Failure to report may be treated as a separate policy violation.
10) Violations and corrective action
Violations will be addressed promptly and may include
- Written warning and mandatory corrective action plan
- Removal from management duties
- Suspension or Termination
Major violations that may result in immediate termination include
- DUI/DWI connected to a company event, staff gathering, or while representing the company
- Drinking while working, on-call, or within 10 hours of a shift
- Intoxication or impairment around staff or customers
- Providing alcohol to staff without approval or pressuring staff to drink
- Harassment, violence, or serious misconduct involving alcohol
11) Questions and interpretation
- Managers must consult their direct supervisor or HR before any event where alcohol may be present.
- Leadership may impose stricter requirements for specific locations, roles, or situations based on safety and business needs.