Do You Think Drinking and Work Mix?

freefall101 on 19/02/2024 - 18:30
Last edited 19/02/2024 - 18:59 by 1 other user

So first we had Mr. Joyce take a tumble in the streets, then the Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey turned up to a senate committee hearing after a couple of glasses of wine and slurring her way through it. So I’m curious where OzBargain sits? Is this ok or a relic of the past we should put behind us?

Personally, I think if you’re going to drink before doing any actual work you’re an idiot, particularly someone so high profile. Everywhere I’ve worked the past few years it has been no working after any alcohol as a strict policy.

20 years ago it was very different, but even Friday drinks in the office is dying, you go to the pub in a non-sanctioned event. Drinks at lunch are a no-no whereas I remember doing shots at lunch and going back to the office long ago.

Poll Options

  • 188
    Yes, a few drinks at work events are fine at any time
  • 17
    Drinking at work is fine so long as it’s the end of the day
  • 143
    Functions completely outside of work are fine but not ever in the office or during work hours
  • 48
    No one should ever drink at any event related to work
  • 15
    Too drunk to click on the above and hit this last option by mistake
Education & Work

Comments

  • BoltThrower on 19/02/2024 - 18:33
    +56

    Sipping on Suntory Whisky is the only way I can get through a shift of holding a stop sign.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/02/2024 - 19:25
      +17

      Sipping on Suntory Whisky is the only way I can get through a shift of holding a stop sign.

      So that's why you need $120k/pa.

    • SuperMid on 20/02/2024 - 13:24
      +6

      For relaxing times, make it Suntory time.

  • brendanm on 19/02/2024 - 18:34
    +23

    We have drinks at work, it's not hard to not be an idiot.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/02/2024 - 18:58
      +3

      Exactly can’t have a Friday work bbq and not have beers

    • freefall101 on 19/02/2024 - 19:01
      +2

      it's not hard to not be an idiot.

      Humanity- hold my beer

      During the day still, or just post-work? Post work drinks (and admittedly I’ve gone back to work after those many times) in the office are pretty great. Far better than going to the pub.

      I’ve worked at places where drinks came out during the day, usually meant the afternoon was a write off. Fun for staff, but not a good look. People generally overestimate their drinking tolerance by a lot.

    • 87percent on 19/02/2024 - 19:28
      +14

      You have the one drink at work, and then kick on with people you actually like after that.

      That’s the way I’ve always done it

      • boomramada on 20/02/2024 - 11:52

        This, not everyone reacts to alcohol in same way.

  • wordplay on 19/02/2024 - 18:38
    -2

    politicians should be allowed to drink as much as they need to before /during work, it should not be brought to the publics attention and news outlets should not be able to report on it. some politicians are dependent on alcohol to function properly so we should not take that away form them. It is no the place of the media to bring these peoples issues into the public forum. please let them imbibe in peace.

    So what if someone likes their libations! if its so bad then make it illegal.

    • entropysbane on 19/02/2024 - 20:29
      +5

      Sir Les always assured us he did his best work with a skinful.

    • ThithLord on 20/02/2024 - 09:39
      +3

      What the heck

    • geosta on 20/02/2024 - 21:33
      +1

      Barnaby's burner confirmed!

      Those alimony payments to the ex-wife must be hurting if he's hanging out here!

  • mrkorrupt on 19/02/2024 - 18:45
    -3

    What is the point of alcohol in drinks? it causes much more problems than anything else.

    • Ugly on 19/02/2024 - 19:17
      +17

      What’s the point of drinks without alcohol?
      They don’t make me forget any of my problems.

    • Ryanek on 19/02/2024 - 20:43
      +7

      Alcohol is essentially a drug that that has psychoactive effects. It can create a sense of euphoria and help alleviate stress or anxiety.

      Like all good things though, it should be taken in moderation.

    • bobbified on 20/02/2024 - 05:04
      +7

      Because everything else that's remotely fun has already been banned!

  • AustriaBargain on 19/02/2024 - 18:54
    +5

    The former deputy PM shouldn't ever publicly drink to excess imo. Imagine if Joe Biden was caught in that state before his own run at President.

    But for regular folk, sure why not.

    • wordplay on 19/02/2024 - 19:01
      -2

      that's one of the many things people like about trump - he is a tea totaler.

      • try2bhelpful on 19/02/2024 - 19:11
        +12

        In all honesty alcohol would be the least of his issues.

      • blitz on 19/02/2024 - 19:14
        +2

        Hitler also was a teetotaler.

      • Stewardo on 19/02/2024 - 20:23
        +1

        He just drinks tea?

        • wordplay on 19/02/2024 - 20:36
          +1

          I'm not sure of what he normally drinks, but know its not exclusively tea as there are well documented episodes of him drinking water from a glass and bottle. its just a term that means someone who does not drink alcohol.

      • beach bum on 21/02/2024 - 12:52
        +2

        I’ve seen footage of Trump drinking , it’s just another lie for image/ego’s sake .
        Probably can’t hold his drink so trying for the excuse of “ I was perfectly sober when I did that thing” and going for that , if he can be this nasty sober better not take on the crazy old goat .

        • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 12:55
          +1

          I don’t know about his drinking but his cocaine use is pretty well known.

          • beach bum on 21/02/2024 - 13:05
            +1

            @try2bhelpful: If you’re going to convince a bunch of bankers you have a billion dollars in assets from what you’re daddy left you , you’d want to have some confidence boosters .

            I see what the rich’s mantra means by
            ‘never spend your own money’ .

            • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 13:10

              @beach bum: Absolutely. He spends other people’s money then declares the companies bankrupt. It is beyond me why people think he is a good businessman.

              • beach bum on 21/02/2024 - 15:04

                @try2bhelpful: Who thinks he is a good businessman ?
                He made a small fortune in real estate out of the massive fortune his father left him .

                and it was before his accidental term as president that I saw him drinking champagne during a dinner .
                Not drunk , just rosy nosed and loud .

                • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 15:17
                  -1

                  @beach bum: The MAGA people think he is a good businessman. I completely agree with your assessment the guy is terrible at business. New York Real Estate is on the downturn.He is only starting on the court cases against him and has racked up many millions of bucks he will have to pay out. He has been using campaign funds for his legal bills and the powers that be are parking that until they get rid of the backlog of his 90 odd cases. The things he is trying to claim as "get out of jail free" cards beggar belief. We just have to hope the SCOTUS is not entirely corrupted.

                  Frankly the guy is a complete idiot. If he had taken the loss on the chin he would be setting up for the current election period; instead he refused to accept the result and incited a mob to attack the Capitol. He struck at the very base of the Democratic process which is to peacefully hand over power after an election loss. Imagine being a parent in America and trying to explain why Trump should be President. What does a kid take from that?

        • Emerald Owl on 21/02/2024 - 13:45
          +1

          It was probably non-alcoholic for state dinners, etc. Really doesn’t seem like a guy who would drink.

    • freefall101 on 19/02/2024 - 20:01
      +1

      Biden doesn't drink, so it is pretty hard to imagine.

      Remember when the story came out about Rudd going to a strip club and being too drunk to remember? His polling numbers went up afterwards - https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/rudd-surges-ahead-in-poll-n…

      I don't think I'd try compare Australia to America though. America seems full of politicians pretending their on a crusade while doing the complete opposite of what they claim. Here if a politician tried to claim they were chosen by god, most people would slowly back away from them (like Morrison)

    • Gdsamp on 19/02/2024 - 20:37
      +1

      former deputy PM shouldn't ever publicly drink to excess

      a Former whatever can do as they legally like really

      Now, as a sitting MP, the not-publicly-drinking-to-excess condition should apply.

    • Save Medicare on 20/02/2024 - 09:36
      +2

      Bob Hawke literally held a world record for skulling a beer

      • Grunntt on 20/02/2024 - 17:36
        +2

        Bob Hawke literally held a world record for skulling a beer

        But what's less well-known is that he abstained from alcohol once he decided to enter parliament and only started again once he had left.

  • Brick Tamland on 19/02/2024 - 19:02
    +2

    I do some of my best work with a few beers under the belt

  • Loot N Plunder on 19/02/2024 - 19:06

    What happens if these clowns have an accident at work are we the people liable for their stupidity?
    Just for the possible workers compensation claim it should be no drugs and alcohol at all while doing their duty's in the name of their job.

  • try2bhelpful on 19/02/2024 - 19:19
    +3

    Barnaby Joyce has a history of batshit crazy behaviour. Falling down drunk in the street is just his latest antic. It says a lot about his electorate that they think his history of behaviour is acceptable. The really sad bit is he doesn't think he has an alcohol problem. He won't fix his issues until he accepts he has an issue.

  • bobbified on 19/02/2024 - 19:25
    +2

    There's drinking and then there's DRINKING.

    Drinking is fine during work hours, like lunchtime. DRINKING is fine after work and on weekends..

  • Anthonese on 19/02/2024 - 19:37
    +2

    It's one thing to drink at a work function/lunch but it's another thing to drink before attending a Senate committee. If this culture in Canberra is only making it's way into the headlines now, imagine what else goes on that we don't know about… FYI, my treasurer is a teetotaller

    • wordplay on 19/02/2024 - 19:54

      let me be the first to congratulate you.

    • Grunntt on 20/02/2024 - 17:39

      If this culture in Canberra is only making it's way into the headlines now, imagine what else goes on that we don't know about

      Have never listened to or watched Question Time? It's is frequently quite obvious there has been a bit of "indulgence".

      • Anthonese on 20/02/2024 - 18:10

        I think a lot of politicians act like five year olds regardless of whether they drink or not

        • Grunntt on 20/02/2024 - 18:13

          I think a lot of politicians act like five year olds regardless of whether they drink or not

          Definitely agree - and many five year olds can string a few more words together coherently than some of the politicians I've seen

    • smartazz104 on 21/02/2024 - 14:21
      +1

      imagine what else goes on that we don't know about

      Well we heard about what some people do to desks…

      • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 14:23
        -1

        That work environment was just completely messed up. Apart from anything else how often was security compromised by what was occurring?

  • Minimum chips on 19/02/2024 - 19:51
    +10

    Well it depends on the job. I think the more important it is to safety and society, the less acceptable it is to drink.

    Airline pilots and surgeons shouldn't be drinking.

    Real estate agents should be absolutely wasted all the time. I don't think their output would be any worse, and it might be a net gain for society if it made them less insufferable, or at least made them funnier. They would need designated drivers for all those leased Audis though.

    • wordplay on 19/02/2024 - 19:55

      some old school surgeons hands are a little too wobbly if they haven't had something to steady them.

      • Minimum chips on 19/02/2024 - 20:05
        +1

        It's actually the Anaesthetists you have to worry about. They've got access to high-grade narcotics with limited oversight (in some hospitals). There are quite a few stories about anaesthetists who got hooked on their own supply.

        And so what if they're a little coked up, you might ask? People dismiss the anaesthetist because "all they do is put you to sleep". They do that by giving you drugs that will absolutely kill you if they mess up, then they have to correctly position a tube that is the only way you can breath - potentially for hours.

  • ihfree on 19/02/2024 - 20:01
    +3

    Yeah, it's great having a few drink with co-workers. It's fine as long as you know your limits and stick to them.

    If we based what we shouldn't do on drunk politicians :

    • don't drink before presenting
    • don't drink and drive
    • don't be a sex pest
    • don't get caught on camera
    • consider how you look on camera if you have a flush reaction
    • stay away from prayer rooms
  • Clear on 19/02/2024 - 20:11
    +2

    Every Christmas we fill an ambulance up with as much booze as we can and party hard. It's good team bonding.

  • pegaxs on 19/02/2024 - 20:47
    +3

    After work, sure. On the weekend, sure. In your own time, sure… Turning up to work pissed as a public servant, absolutely not. In fact, turning up to any workplace pissed is a big no.

    And gives you some idea of how seriously these politicians view these senate committees if they are happy to go out and get munted before going in, they obviously don’t give a (fropanity) and/or they are toothless tiger committees.

    If I was her or Joyce’s political rival, I would 100% be running photos and videos of them being pissed and acting like clowns as my election platform.

    • yewman on 20/02/2024 - 00:37

      You sound like you need a drink

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/02/2024 - 20:54
    +2

    Used to get on the beers at lunch time back in the 80s (2-4 schooners in 30 minutes). It was considered normal at the time. If we did OT the boss would buy a case and we'd drink while we worked. It was the accepted culture at several places I worked.

    In the same way that centrefold pics on the wall and smoking have gradually disappeared, so has the drinks during the day culture and I think it's for the best.

    After work has finished it's game on.

    • elgrande on 19/02/2024 - 21:19
      +7

      Same. The catholic church just isn't what it used to be.

      • try2bhelpful on 19/02/2024 - 22:08

        Great comment.

      • FezMonkey on 20/02/2024 - 14:26

        We've made some… changes.

  • djsweet on 19/02/2024 - 21:12

    Some people who can’t control themselves should definitely never have drinks at work or at any work event. But for most people with a normal amount of self control, a few drinks at work or at a work event are no issue.

  • Rob-4x4 on 20/02/2024 - 08:51

    Drinking at work functions may mean that you say what you really think about things related to work. This can often be a very bad idea ..

  • Cluster on 20/02/2024 - 10:44
    +2

    Does drinking and working mix? No. No exceptions. If MPs are complaining about working to 10pm and needing a drink with their dinner then stiff luck. That is the job they chose. Stay off the booze while making important decisions that affect all Australians or schedule your days better. There's almost no reason why MPs should be voting on bills late into the night unless it's a national emergency.

    MPs sometimes play silly games based on who can speak the longest and waste the most time, or force a vote into the early hours of the morning and hope someone doesn't turn up to skew results in their favour. Grow up children. Stop it.

    Leave the drink or two for after all work has finished for the day.

  • nswnotill on 20/02/2024 - 10:58

    Mine workers must undertake a sobriety test as well as presence of drugs before starting their shift. They are in control of large items of equipment costing millions of dollars. They must be 100% in control of their faculties at all times. No exceptions.

  • churningNburning on 20/02/2024 - 11:25

    Depends on whether the individual can handle their booze.

  • xrayed giraffe on 20/02/2024 - 12:28
    +1

    Imagine, us tax payers expecting our representatives to not be affected by a psychoactive drug while making decisions that affect our lives!

  • ripesashimi on 20/02/2024 - 13:06
    -2

    Work should only be measured by performance.

    I personally do not drink but if I have delivered the result and someone makes a comment about my beverage of choice, I would be very upset. I would make it my life's mission to disparage their choice of lunch for the rest of their life in the most racially offensive way.

  • jellykingdom on 20/02/2024 - 14:57

    In my business, we are told that we are entirely unable to mix alcohol and work. Effectively you COULD drink whenever you want outside of the factory/site, but you are then not allowed to perform any work tasks (not just running the plant, but anything full stop). That includes answering work phone calls or offering any technical/commercial advice if you've had drinks, since you could be compromised. The on-call staff have to go dry for whatever 1 weekend they are rostered on, in case they are required at any point of the day

    Seems extreme at first but then when you think about it, it's quite logical really!

  • infinite on 20/02/2024 - 15:30
    -2

    Mr. Joyce wasn't drinking on work time, or at work, so not sure what relevance he has to any of this.

    Perin Davey turning up to a senate committee hearing after a couple of glasses of wine raises an interesting topic of standards for these hearings though in general, as a huge number of the public servants testifying in front of them are on an absolute plethora of much more hardcore substances for mental illness and other conditions. If alcohol isn't OK, why are any of the way more hardcore substances being used OK ?

    • brad1-8tsi on 20/02/2024 - 18:23
      -1

      According to Barnaby Joyce, he came straight from the house which implies he'd been drinking prior to being in session. This isn't the first time that he has appeared to have been inebriated while in parliament was sitting.

      • infinite on 20/02/2024 - 20:08

        He didn't consume alcohol while at work, he consumed it afterwards.

        All of Australia would be fired or in jail if we applied your mental gymnastics.

  • lunartemis on 20/02/2024 - 15:49
    +3

    Alcohol affects your ability (intellectually and physically) to make judgement efficiently comoared to being alcohol free. It definitely shouldn't be consumed before you do your work, and if thats the only way you can complete work, you have a bigger problem.

  • nedski on 20/02/2024 - 16:44
    +2

    I have evolved in my career. When I started, didnt have an issue with having a beer with colleagues on the regular friday lunches at the RSL.

    Then it evolved to not drinking with colleagues.

    Then it evolved to not socialising with my colleagues.

    The second its knock off time, im heading home to the family.

  • gromit on 20/02/2024 - 17:33

    I have no problem with a few drinks at a work event or after work, that goes for pollies too. Though while they are making decisions that affect the lives of millions they should be 1000% stone cold sober and drug free. workplace testing should be in place given the gravity of some of the decisions they make.

  • R4 on 20/02/2024 - 18:35

    As long as he does his job properly - and that's up to the people who elected him to decide - then what he does in his private life is his issue.

    Too much judgement, finger-wagging, nanny-stateism in Australia today. A new puritanical age.

    • try2bhelpful on 20/02/2024 - 18:43

      Nah, he also has to represent the Australian people with dignity. That picture would’ve gone around the world.

    • MessyG on 21/02/2024 - 17:44

      I think this wouldn't be as much of an issue if he DID do his job properly. But this guy falls asleep in parliament, sends text messages instead of full reports, not to mention the whole water buybacks debacle. If he was a parliamentarian of integrity, I think people would be genuinely concerned for his health.

      • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 18:17

        The guy is a dud. You do wonder how low the standards are of his electorate?

      • R4 on 21/02/2024 - 19:03

        Sure but, rightly or wrongly, he's been elected by his electorate to represent them - and it's up to them to decide if they want him to continue or not. Representative democracy at wok - warts and all. There's plenty of politicians who don't fall asleep, do their job, represent their electorate etc but are also duds. The one that springs to mind is Chris Bowen.

        • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 19:08

          Chris Bowen is top of his game compared to Barnaby.

          Yup, there are some real drawbacks with representative democracy but it is what we have. At least Australua is much better than America. Compulsory voting at least saves us from the truly frightening getting in. I mean Katter and Hanson would be mainstream over there.

  • MrThing on 20/02/2024 - 19:31
    +2

    Keeping booze and work separate is a good lesson for those who are yet to have one of those work related alcohol issues

    Oh unless your a politician, just blame a medical episode

    • try2bhelpful on 20/02/2024 - 20:04

      Unbelievable isn't it? I think they are just taking the piss quite frankly. The Nats never have taken their responsibilities seriously.

  • RefusdClassification on 20/02/2024 - 20:15
    +2

    Alcohol, like pot and antipsychotics, are performance degrading substances. They may relieve anxiety or pain, but they make people slow and stupid, reducing a workers output and their accuracy. Use whatever you like outside work hours (I'm a libertarian), but employees should be penalized if they are working when chemically impaired.

    However, stimulants in moderation are fine. They allow people to remain focused for longer and increase output. Spanish slavers used to feed their native slaves leaves from the cocaine shrub, to make them work harder. Stimulants don't just work for ADDers; they affect everyone more or less the same. ADDers (compared to addicts) take lowish does of ritalin and/or dexamphetamine, so they don't go psychotic or become aggressive and careless. The first 3 letters are the same though.

    • MessyG on 21/02/2024 - 17:40

      I agreed with everything up to amphetamines. They are terrible for your heart, especially cumulatively over time. Especially in the middle aged crowd, ie parliamentarians!

      And really, drugging the population to extract more efficiency from them seems far from a libertarian ideal.

  • apple2016 on 20/02/2024 - 22:45
    -1

    Everywhere I’ve worked the past few years it has been no working after any alcohol as a strict policy.

    You have never worked in Germany!

    IMHO alcohol should be classified as food so it can’t be banned anywhere!

  • xrayed giraffe on 21/02/2024 - 08:40
    +3

    Liberal National Party- drug tests for others, not for us though!

  • Marty-69 on 21/02/2024 - 14:05

    Everywhere I’ve worked the past few years it has been no working after any alcohol as a strict policy.

    We had the same. So our team thought about Weet-Bix with beer for brekky…… We went to the pub for lunch once a week and did not return. It was always fun with the new guys or colleagues from another office. Why do you pack up to go for lunch? Not coming back, mate. That's not allowed.

    • try2bhelpful on 21/02/2024 - 14:14

      Probably a sensible idea. Most managers I know preferred we didn’t come back if we had been drinking.

      Saw a guy one day, completely smashed, throwing up in the lobby. His mate told a manager that approached them to f… off. I suspect neither guy kept their job. The next day the department heads read us the riot act and all alcohol was banned from the premises.

  • Drakesy on 21/02/2024 - 14:50

    Yes
    Yes
    Yes

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