Content warning: Article links refer to reported instances of sexual assault
Off the clock business meetings and excessive alcohol use rarely sounds like a nice combination. While it might be a little humorous to observe otherwise uptight colleagues release some steam or act a little silly, these types of meetings can lead to serious boundary crossings. Importantly, not everyone is comfortable sitting in bars and being forced to attend these “meetings” or “team bonding” events. In some gatherings, the social pressure to drink is fierce and coercive. These events can be awkward at best, and traumatic at worse.
This culture of forced alcohol use at business meetings is especially prevalent in China where “building guanxi – or personal relationships – is key to securing business deals and good standing in the eyes of upper management” (Source: BBC News). There have been multiple reports of sexual assault at work events in the country by female employees.
Picture the following scenario: You are a young woman who just landed a great new job with a competitive company. You know how lucky you are to have this position, and you know how easy it is to lose it as well. You want to show your boss how hard you can work, showing up early and leaving late. You’re thrilled when you’ve been invited to a networking event with the top managers in the company. You’re not a drinker, but as soon as you arrive, you’re repeatedly offered shots of hard liquor and observe the managers, majority men, getting more and more drunk. The conversations are getting less about business and more invasive. You reluctantly accept a drink from the CEO and are fake laughing at his jokes. You desperately want to leave. The CEO asks to speak to you privately in another room and you have a horrible gut feeling about it.
This can happen anywhere and alcohol use is not an excuse for a person in power to act inappropriately. We can all play a part in ensuring each other’s safety and well-being. At your next work event, please make sure there are non-alcoholic beverage options, respect people’s wishes to not drink, and reach out to anyone who is appearing uncomfortable and offer support.
Thank you for reading!
Nova Scotians looking for addictions support can go online or call 1-855-922-1122.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
