Reference no: EM133465725

Review the cases on the topic of employer liability for employee intoxication that are summarized and found under Employers' Vicarious Liability for Employees' Actions in Chapter 11 of your text (Mugford v. Kodiak Construction Ltd., John v. Flynn and Hunt v. Sutton Group).

How would you advise employers to minimize their legal risks in the following situations, given the outcomes of those cases? Please post comments for each scenario:

1. Acme Accounting likes to encourage team spirit among its employees. Every Friday, one of the junior accountants is charged with responsibility for the "beer run." He or she leaves the office near the end of the day and brings back beer (and other alcoholic beverages) to the office. At quitting time, employees are encouraged (though not required) to come to the staff room, relax, and have a drink. Some employees stay well into the evening, consuming quite a bit of alcohol.

2. Acme Accounting also has a curling team. They play in the recreational accountants' league. Management thinks this is another good way to encourage team spirit and raise the profile of the firm. Typically, the team members stay after a game and indulge in a few alcoholic beverages. They expense this cost to Acme.

3. Acme hosts a golf tournament every summer. Employees are required to attend, even if they are not golfing. The non-golfers perform administrative tasks, such as registration, handing out prizes, and so on. A professional bartender, who works at the golf club, serves the alcohol. Acme always gives their employees a reminder not to over consume alcohol, because their resulting behaviour could damage the firm's reputation.