Should any employer have a night out with drinks with staff?

Should any employer meet staff out for a drink or two or organize a night out?

My guy has his own very small business and he has done this. I appreciate it creates a common bond while allowing the crew to vent. But I think a lunch or dinner meeting is a better way to go.

When drinks are part of the equation, I feel that invites inappropriate conversations.

In most cases I think it's wrong. I know I don't want to spend time with my bosses ~ or any of the bosses ~ outside the job. I didn't even like it when mine wanted to take us out for an occasional lunch. She finally stopped trying.

at jcpenney, as a reward for certain sales promotions, the managers would take us out to a local bar/restaurant and present us with awards and gift certficates... while a certain number of drinks were on the company tab.

At the post office... our bosses go to the bar and bowling alley (which has a bar) with us all the time... but we spend more time at work together than we do with our families... we are all very close

Lunch and dinner would be fine, and if someone wanted to have a drink with their meal, so be it. But a night out specifically for drinking? Naw, I'd rather they didn't.

Umm, I guess it depends. It would prob. be better suited for a specific occasion. I had an employer who threw grand Christmas parties for all of the workers. We would go out to a restaurant, esp one that served drinks, and drink and eat all night on their dime. They were cool about it.

I can see maybe a holiday party, but even then, it's not my thing. I work with everyone at work, and I don't need to spend my free-time with them, too.

It all depends on where you work and what type of relationship you have with the bosses. I don't see where there is anything so wrong with it.

tmontyb wrote:It all depends on where you work and what type of relationship you have with the bosses. I don't see where there is anything so wrong with it.

I have worked at places where I had a personal relationship with bosses and co-workers. I was invited to the big Xmas bash at the bosses house (whom I house/cat sat for when he went on trips). A group of us who were friends would often meet up after work for drinks at a local bar.

This was when I enjoyed working here. Now I don't go to any functions after work unless they plan to pay me for my time.

I think its o.k.

It would be fine with me. I appreciate any employer who seeks to create a camaraderie/kinship with their employees. It creates a better working relationship, IMO.

Should they (like it's required)? No but I worked one place where a bunch of us including one of the partners hung out socially. He bought more than his share of rounds but the party wasn't on him.