By Dale J. Venturini
President & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
Everyone knows the consequences of irresponsible alcohol service: underage drinking, alcohol-related deaths, liability lawsuits, loss of businesses.
With so much at stake, it is time to make alcohol server training a requirement for Rhode Island’s hospitality establishments.
We all recognize the damage that improper and inexperienced alcohol service can cause. Therefore, the Association is supporting new legislation that would require alcohol server training for all persons who sell or serve alcoholic beverages. The new law would require licensees and their employees to complete a comprehensive server training program within 120 days from the start of his or her employment. If passed, licensees would need to be in compliance by July 1, 2005.
An alcohol server training program simply makes sense for businesses and patrons alike. By mandating server training, every server in Rhode Island would be taught the skills that define responsible service, and would gain an understanding of the state’s liquor codes and their role in upholding them. Servers would learn how to prevent sales to underaged and over-served patrons, protecting consumers from unlawful behavior, and protecting your business from civil liability. It’s a proactive, practical approach that gives hospitality workers the confidence to provide responsible alcohol service.
The Association is not in the habit of endorsing mandates on an industry that is already over-regulated. However, training serves to protect hospitality businesses from the costly lawsuits that result from improper liquor service.
Much like a fine wine differs from the $2 twist-top bottle variety, alcohol server training programs are not created equal. If the state legislature passes a law requiring mandatory server training, businesses need to be assured that the training program they choose is comprehensive and nationally recognized. Programs such as Controlling Alcohol Risks Effectively (CARE®), produced by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Bar Code®, and Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS®) are developed and presented by industry experts; professionals who have been in the trenches, or in this case, behind the bar. Also, accredited training programs are recognized by some insurance companies for a reduction in liquor liability coverage.
There are a number of training programs out there that are not administered by professionals or certified by trade organizations. RIHTA solely endorses nationally recognized programs, and works to protect businesses and patrons they serve from unproven, untested programs.
RIHTA currently offers Bar Code®, a nationally-accredited program developed by the National Restaurant Association. To encourage business owners to provide alcohol server training to all of their employees, RIHTA members are offered a discount on enrollment in the Bar Code® program. I encourage you to find out more about Bar Code® and other nationally-recognized alcohol server training programs today.
With so much at stake, it is time to make alcohol server training a requirement for Rhode Island’s hospitality establishments.
We all recognize the damage that improper and inexperienced alcohol service can cause. Therefore, the Association is supporting new legislation that would require alcohol server training for all persons who sell or serve alcoholic beverages. The new law would require licensees and their employees to complete a comprehensive server training program within 120 days from the start of his or her employment. If passed, licensees would need to be in compliance by July 1, 2005.
An alcohol server training program simply makes sense for businesses and patrons alike. By mandating server training, every server in Rhode Island would be taught the skills that define responsible service, and would gain an understanding of the state’s liquor codes and their role in upholding them. Servers would learn how to prevent sales to underaged and over-served patrons, protecting consumers from unlawful behavior, and protecting your business from civil liability. It’s a proactive, practical approach that gives hospitality workers the confidence to provide responsible alcohol service.
The Association is not in the habit of endorsing mandates on an industry that is already over-regulated. However, training serves to protect hospitality businesses from the costly lawsuits that result from improper liquor service.
Much like a fine wine differs from the $2 twist-top bottle variety, alcohol server training programs are not created equal. If the state legislature passes a law requiring mandatory server training, businesses need to be assured that the training program they choose is comprehensive and nationally recognized. Programs such as Controlling Alcohol Risks Effectively (CARE®), produced by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Bar Code®, and Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS®) are developed and presented by industry experts; professionals who have been in the trenches, or in this case, behind the bar. Also, accredited training programs are recognized by some insurance companies for a reduction in liquor liability coverage.
There are a number of training programs out there that are not administered by professionals or certified by trade organizations. RIHTA solely endorses nationally recognized programs, and works to protect businesses and patrons they serve from unproven, untested programs.
RIHTA currently offers Bar Code®, a nationally-accredited program developed by the National Restaurant Association. To encourage business owners to provide alcohol server training to all of their employees, RIHTA members are offered a discount on enrollment in the Bar Code® program. I encourage you to find out more about Bar Code® and other nationally-recognized alcohol server training programs today.
Aside from undergoing training and getting the certification required by the state, one should also take the responsibilities of being an alcohol server by heart. This would help not only the business itself but the reputation of both the owner and server.
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