Opinion Express View on Haryana’s new liquor policy: Drink to that
It must be taken up by HR departments across the country. Rather than subjecting adult employees to happy birthday emails and enforced team-building exercises, just buy them a drink
The Haryana government has announced that, as part of its new liquor policy, certain offices (those with over 5,000 employees, office space of at least 1 lakh sq feet and a canteen over 2,000 sq feet) will be eligible to sell booze on the premises. (Express Photo) 
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Imagine for a moment that you work in a cubicle, a mere cog in a giant corporate machine, which demands that you wear a tie or pant-suit and uncomfortable shoes, and make PowerPoint presentations about targets that even the bosses who set them know are unachievable.
On Friday evening, you make staid jokes about TGIF, everyone laughs because they are in the same boat, it’s time for what Hemingway called the “mechanical relief” for the many mechanical oppressions of modern life. And for a change, at least one government isn’t trying to spoil the party. In fact, it’s trying to bring the party to the office.
The Haryana government has announced that, as part of its new liquor policy, certain offices (those with over 5,000 employees, office space of at least 1 lakh sq feet and a canteen over 2,000 sq feet) will be eligible to sell booze on the premises.
The cynical explanation is that taxes from booze contribute a significant share to many states’ (including Haryana’s) own revenue and trying to make vends of corporate offices is just a way for the government to line its pockets. But the parched worker may well respond: So what?
The drinks are bought and paid for either way and by drinking at work, around bosses and colleagues, the worst-behaved drinkers will likely learn not to over-indulge or, at least, become less aggressive and abusive. In fact, the policy is likely to have the added bonus (apart from money to the exchequer) of teaching people how to drink responsibly.
Those who do not work in Haryana are jealous, and many who work in smaller companies may well be planning a switch. This envy, which will likely lead to attrition and a lack of employee satisfaction, must be taken up by HR departments across the country. Rather than subjecting adult employees to happy birthday emails and enforced team-building exercises, just buy them a drink.
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