Traditionally, the place for business meetings was the local pub. However, this essential element of British working culture is now under threat as employers adapt to the changing attitudes of a new generation of workers.
“Younger employees with healthier lifestyles don't see going out and being completely lost as a rite of passage,” says Emma Morris, Embrace HR director. This shift in perspective is forcing companies to rethink their approach to social events in the workplace.
As Gen Z professionals increasingly turn away from alcohol, companies are under pressure to find alternative venues for work events. A recent report by Rare, a British graduate recruitment firm specializing in diversity, suggested that law firms should consider activities such as cooking, drawing and pottery classes to avoid excluding Muslim lawyers and other employees who do not drink alcohol.
Beyond concerns about inclusivity, HR departments are also concerned about the potential for bad behavior related to drinking. “If you arrange something that ends up in trouble, through drinking or drug use, employers can be held liable,” Morris explains.
Paul Pavley, a hospitality consultant and former managing director of Punch Taverns, points out that behavior that was once considered acceptable is now under closer scrutiny. “If you're in social work now, everyone is in service,” he says.
The data supports the trend away from alcohol: about a fifth of people aged 18 to 24 have abstained from smoking completely, according to Drinkaware. This suggests that a large proportion of the future workforce will not drink alcohol, prompting bars and other venues to adapt.
Simon Emini, CEO of Fuller's, states that more than half of their bars now offer alcohol-free products. “You can come to our bars for business events and you don't have to drink alcohol,” he says.
Entrepreneurs have seized this opportunity and launched venues offering attractive activities such as mini golf, ax throwing, table tennis and virtual clay pigeon shooting. “(Employers) are definitely looking for more experience – it attracts an audience and it's not just about drinking,” says Clive Watson, co-founder of City Pub Company.
Richard Harpham, who runs the Boom Battle Bar chain, points out that companies want activities that attract a diverse workforce. “Employers are now trying to find something that will appeal to the accounting woman as much as the man on the legal team.”
These activities are also likely to attract remote workers back to the office. “Going for an experience is more likely to entice people to come in rather than just going for a drink,” says Saxon Mosley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM.
However, there are concerns about inclusivity for older workers. Some places and activities may cater more to younger employees, raising questions about their appeal to all age groups.
Despite this, companies are embracing these new places. Tom Snellock, founder of Clays, which offers virtual reality clay pigeon hunting, reports big bookings for companies, with 70% of their revenue coming from such events. It highlights the comprehensive nature of their offerings, with menus to suit various dietary preferences.
Traditional pub businesses are adapting, too. Stonegate, the UK's largest pub company, recently announced plans to launch an immersive karaoke series called Careless Whisper.
Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, believes that although formal work events may change, informal social gatherings between colleagues will continue. “Formal business events organized by management are difficult under modern employment laws, and inconvenience many participants anyway,” he says, predicting that informal after-work drinks will remain popular.
In short, as work culture evolves, British bosses are exploring new and attractive ways to foster team bonding outside the confines of traditional social bars. It remains to be seen whether this trend will permanently change the social work landscape or coexist with traditional pub outings.
