Between long days of pointless meetings, needing to mellow out and wanting to connect with coworkers, the bar sounds like the place to go, right? After all, many of them have happy hours on weekday evenings when drinks are cheaper. It’s a win-win.

However, there’s one big problem with that weekly after-work pub trip: Going to bars can be triggering for many individuals who are in recovery from substance use disorder or are sober for other reasons. Grabbing a drink isn’t the safest, most inclusive outing after all when it comes to bringing a bunch of employees together and trying to help them feel comfortable.

The numbers back this up. In England, about 602,391 people are dependent drinkers. The dangers can’t be underestimated, either: alcohol misuse is the main risk factor for death, poor health and disability among people ages 15 to 49 in the UK.

At the same time, you might feel reluctant to plan an alcohol-free event. Will people come? Will they feel awkward?

Rest assured, these events may be more successful than you think. “With new generations, new attitudes and a new style of working, alcohol-free after-work events have become increasingly popular,” says Dr Dannielle Haig, a psychologist and business leadership coach.

The experts here believe that being cognisant of those earlier statistics – and planning alcohol-free happy hours – is crucial to maintaining a healthy workplace environment for a variety of reasons, such as…

Sober events foster inclusivity

People may want to avoid drinking for different reasons, whether that’s needing to pick up kids, pregnancy, personal values, past struggles with addiction and more. 

“By offering alcohol-free options, we create a space where everyone can feel comfortable and included, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being,” says Marsha Stone, the CEO and founder of Foundation Stone, a network of programmes that help individuals and families struggling with mental health, substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders.

They speak to the company’s stance on employee wellbeing

Along the lines of inclusivity, sober happy hour events are a way to show employees you consider their needs and care about their health and safety. “Consuming alcohol in excess can lead to impaired judgment, increased risk-taking behaviour and accidents,” Dr Haig says. She adds this type of event also makes the space safer for everyone involved.

Showing support for employees’ mental health is a piece of this, too. “Anyone who’s been on a big work night out will have probably experienced ‘hangxiety’ the next day and been worried about what may have been said and done that you wish you hadn’t,” Dr Haig continues. 

They benefit the company and workplace during the day

Besides employees’ needs, sober happy hours are great for employers and businesses. One way: they improve relationships between coworkers. “Human connection is fundamental for our health and wellbeing, but of course it [also] increases workplace engagement and productivity,” Dr Haig says.

She explains the engagement aspect first, saying, “By avoiding alcohol, employees are more likely to engage in meaningful conversations, network effectively and make connections that can benefit their professional growth.” Stone agrees, noting these events can also enhance collaboration among employees.

Productivity increases for several reasons, from spending less time on workplace drama to how feeling valued can be energising.

Lastly, circling back to employee wellbeing, Dr Haig says sending messages about the importance of employee wellness can “have a long-term impact on employee satisfaction and retention”. That makes sense, right? When an employee feels cared for and well-treated, they’re probably more apt to stick with the company.

Now the harder part: making the event happen. In short, brainstorming sober happy hours is about asking yourself one question: what’s a fun (and maybe even meaningful) activity that doesn’t require booze?

Haig encourages remembering that “these activities can be tailored to align with the event’s [and company’s] goals, creating a more meaningful and memorable experience for attendees”.

Below, check out some ideas to get you started:

Wellness workshops

This idea is a great way to be intentional about supporting employees’ health. In particular, Stone recommends interactive workshops that focus on mindfulness, stress management or self-care techniques. The tools discussed in these workshops can help employees be better equipped to handle work stress, among other stressors that could interfere with their productivity and life.

Connection-building activities

To really lean into enhancing collaboration and deepening coworker relationships, consider planning games that would lend themselves to such outcomes. “For example, speed networking sessions, icebreaker games or team-building exercises that promote collaboration and relationship-building without relying on alcohol,” Stone suggests. This SessionLab article has several specific ideas.

A guest speaker series

Do your employees need a pick-me-up? Bringing in a speaker could help with that. Stone recommends asking inspirational speakers to “share their stories and insights on topics such as personal growth, resilience, or work-life balance”. She adds these talks can be informative and thought-provoking.

Creative workshops

Did you know getting artsy can boost your mental health? So why not bring it into the office?

If you’re not sure where to start, Stone says painting, pottery and DIY crafts are great examples of ways to get creative. “These activities provide a chance for individuals to unwind, express themselves artistically and connect with colleagues in a relaxed and enjoyable setting,” she explains.

A tip from Haig: consider holding these events during the workday. She believes this is more enticing for employees, makes abstaining from alcohol easier and is more cost-effective.

But does this mean you can never host an event with alcohol again? Haig says no, and that both types of gatherings are valuable. “Offering a variety of event options, including those without alcohol, can help accommodate the diverse preferences and needs of your employees.”

Images: Getty