Networking events have evolved from clinking glasses to prioritizing wellness. Today’s corporate employees are taking their health seriously, opting for kombucha and other nutritious drinks instead of cocktails. As the modern workplace embraces wellness practices, alcohol-free networking events are gaining more and more popularity. These events are more about connecting and collaborating with each other on a professional level without the need of alcohol to serve as a mediator of sorts.
Alcohol Free Networking: A New Corporate Trend Here To Stay?
Power Of Socialization Survey: 75% Corporate Employees Want To Keep Booze At Bay
Compass Group, a British multinational contract foodservice company, recently conducted its ‘The Power of Socialization’ survey. This survey was carried out by global market intelligence agency Mintel, wherein 30,000 workers and students from 21 countries were polled. This comprehensive survey focused on different aspects of today’s corporate culture like career progression, inclusivity, and workplace wellbeing.
The survey found that only 25% of employees want alcohol at workplace social events, while 75% prefer not to have it. Additionally, 49% of students believe that offering non-alcoholic beverages promotes inclusivity, and 39% expressed a desire for ways to socialize with colleagues that do not involve alcohol. This illustrates that alcohol is gradually becoming less of a focal point at corporate networking events.
Alcohol Free Networking Events Are All The Rage
Many metropolitans like Delhi and Bangalore are witnessing a rise in alcohol free networking events. Alcohol-free mixers are becoming popular networking events, with many employees showing active participation. Companies are realizing the importance of wellness and including wellness practices in their on-ground events.
These events, instead of serving alcohol, serve mocktails or healthy drinks like kombucha and fruit juices in an attempt to make the event more inclusive and health-forward. By encouraging alcohol-free events, companies are helping build healthier, more productive teams.
Now that wellness and healthy lifestyle is a heated conversation on the internet, companies are moving away from age-old conventional networking methods. Not everyone might be comfortable drinking, especially at events where your priority is to make excellent networks and connect with fellow professionals. Moreover, many also engage in drinking at such events under peer pressure or just to impress their seniors. Alcohol free networking events eliminate the unnecessary peer pressure and awkwardness that employees might face and instead shifts the focus on healthier practices. This also helps create a healthy work-life balance, a necessity in today’s hustle culture where overworking is overly glorified.
Why Alcohol Free Networking Events Matter More Than Ever
Traditionally, alcohol has served as the focal point at employee events. However, the world, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic has more or less shifted the focus on creating inclusive social spaces at the workplace. In a world where loneliness is a major issue and about 27% of employees (as per the ‘The Power of Socialization’ survey) feeling lonely or isolated at work, corporate events are becoming more and more about connecting employees and building a conducive, productive environment for all of its workers.
Well-thought, inclusive, and interactive social events help employees connect and collaborate with each other organically. However, when there’s aspects like alcohol involved in such events, it might come off as uninspiring and demotivating for many. In fact, many employees might not be comfortable in the first place to take part in such events. This reduces employee satisfaction as well as productivity and hampers the work environment, especially for employees who do not drink.
Summing Up
Alcohol free networking events are about to take off and become the next corporate trend taking the world by storm. While consuming alcohol at such events is a personal choice, it must not be an obligation or a requirement. Many cities like Bangalore and Delhi are witnessing a rise in no-alcohol networking events and it is expected that other cities will follow suit. What do you think of this new trend? Is it a trend that will fade away in a few weeks or is it here to transform the corporate landscape in the long run?
