The South and Midwest may have a smaller corporate talent pool from which to draw, which makes them less selective upfront, but then more keen to cut bait down the road. So having more behavioral policies is a good hedge against wrongful termination or EEOC complaints. BP, post-Macondo, implemented a "speak up" policy at their Westlake campus, where you were encouraged to report other employees violating safety policies: like talking on a cell-phone while walking the stairs, which would prevent you from using the hand-rail.
I worked at Relient stadium when they were getting ready for March Madness and one of my coworkers was drinking from the tap at the concession stands all day and it was hilarious... He drank probably $100 worth of beer
I've done it once with co-workers, and it was indeed weird. I've also gone to bars and had a drink at lunch without any co-workers, which is enjoyable. Now I'm self employed and can sit at my desk with a bottle of beer.
Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with it within reason of course. Professionally, I would recommend three days suspension, a probationary period, and immediate termination upon a second offense. All that after providing the employee with info on the EAP.
As much as I like to drink, lunch time during the work week goes against my desire to drink. I like to work even more than I like to drink. And that includes working in Germany where the office refrigerators are full of beers. I can see how the Sales force does it, and that's understandable. But my job is to code, and at this point that means to Architect commercial software and take calls from the CEO, analysts and key clients at any point in the day. Work Hard and Play Hard, which means weekends only, and which maybe you can assess from my posts. That said: When I'm back in Houston for the Beard and the Playoffs, rules somewhat change as "weekend" gets translated into "game day." right!!!
As was said earlier, you follow the lead of the senior person at the table if you enjoy a mid-day libation with co-workers and there isn't an obvious "policy." I once worked for a fellow I became very good friends with and we'd go to a bar at lunch, split a pitcher of beer, and play foosball. His idea. We remain friends decades later. That was a bit unusual then and I gather that it's very unusual today. I no longer have a "boss," thank goodness. Haven't had one for years, despite what my significant other thinks. ;-)- Depends on the kind of work you do, obviously, and the kind of public transportation available. In Texas, there's damn near zero public transportation, unless you are willing to ride a bus. Damn shame we have such a pitiful amount of rail to get around with in the major cities. That would solve the "drinking and driving" thingy that's such a big deal these days.
I would take the cue from work. Right now where I work they allow drinking and even have beers in the fridge. Last year we had a fundraiser for some children's charity group and they sold shots during work hours to do so. It's cool but definitely not the norm.
Work/Manage a law firm. I have a small bar in my office, with scotch and bourbon. I don't use it often, but I let anyone in my office come in for a drink or two. The refrigerator down the hall if full of craft beer that I stock it with. I probably drink 3-4 a week. If a long trial is over I may down a six pack. I smoke cigars in my office 3-4 times a year. I pretty much let everyone do what they want as long as they are not drunk. I am very young for my position, but there are some associates I have hired that are a good 7-8 years younger than me.... they look at me like I am crazy when they see me drinking.
My old company (finance) was very pro-alcohol. We always had a ton of champagne in the company fridges, every other month there's a company catered office party in the afternoon with bartenders etc and every time we sign up a major client we'd rent a nightclub near the office for the afternoon
