In a disheartening decision for California employers, a California Court of Appeal recently held that an employer who provides alcohol at company parties or events may be liable for its employees’ actions until they sober up (Purton v. Marriott International, Inc.).
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The employer in the case, a Marriott hotel, hosted a holiday party as a “thank you” for its employees and management. Employees were not required to attend, but those who did were each given two drink tickets. Although the hotel only offered wine and beer at the party, the bartender unilaterally procured a bottle of whiskey from the hotel’s liquor supply and began serving shots of whiskey. Employees and managers drank at the party together, including shots of whiskey. After leaving the party and arriving at home safely, one of the hotel’s employees then left his home to drive home a coworker who had become intoxicated during the party. During that trip, the hotel employee struck a vehicle and killed the driver. The driver’s family then sued the hotel, claiming it was responsible for its employee’s actions.
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Read the full article, “California Court Holds that Employer May be Liable for Acts of Drunken Employee After Attending Company Party” here.
