It was called Pub Golf. An after hours outing involving visiting 9 pubs or , “Holes” . Workers were scored on the fewest swigs to consume a specific alcoholic drink. The scores were later circulated around the office. An emailed from from one of the managers made clear the expectation, attendance and participation was not optional , “ anyone who doesn’t turn up better have a doctors note and a medical exemption”.

The organisation’s annual Pub Golf Tournament became news worthy when one participant was found by the police comatose on the street with a serious head wound.

Perhaps you didn’t think this sort of thing went on any more but this is a recent incident in a large well known organisation which has come to light because the employee is suing their employer.  For me it not just the behaviour or the fact that it was encouraged by management it is what this says about the culture within the organisation. Whatever this organisation says about it’s commitment to EDI if being included and feeling you belong requires joining the hard drinking culture it’s going to exclude a lot of would be employees. The heavy pressure to join in or be labelled “not a team player” doesn’t fit with the aim of creating a diverse organisation.

It would be hard to take seriously such  an organisation’s claims to be interested in a healthy work life balance or a genuine concern for the mental health of employees. Although I have heard managers in similar organisation argue that this type of after work activity helps employees with stressful jobs relax and develops comradely. I think we can dismiss this for the bogus concern it is.

Something else about this incident that gives us insight into this type of organisation is the fact that this Pub Golf had a competitive element with the scores circulate around the organisation. So rather than team work or cooperation this was about unhealthy competition pitting colleague against colleague. Taken altogether what does this say about the organisations style of management, the reward system and how promotions are determined.