The first line of defense in ensuring that all regulations are followed in alcohol service lies at the point of sale, particularly with customer service professionals, such as bartenders or restaurant managers. Knowing and understanding state and local laws surrounding the sale of alcohol, as well as the signs of excessive consumption and what to do if a patron is drunk are vital to both the success and the safety of the business and the customer service professional.
A certification in alcohol handling gives customer service professionals the necessary skills and knowledge to protect their employers, careers, and customers from the risks associated with alcohol consumption. In particular, there are three main areas of alcohol handling certification that are of most import to customer service pros.
- Liability. Certification educates alcohol handlers about the serving laws in their city or state, allowing them to serve spirits while avoiding legal ramifications.
- Safety. Knowing when to “cut” a customer off or refuse a sale can often mean the difference between life and death. Certification trains servers to recognize the warning signs of excessive consumption and what their next steps should be.
- Job Marketability. Being certified shows that a customer service professional knows his or her “stuff,” and that they will not cause a potentially disastrous situation for an employer or patron. This makes their services a valued commodity, leading to promotions, raises, and easier employment.
Everything from the legal blood-alcohol limit to the legal drinking age are covered by alcohol handling certification exams, ensuring that customer service professionals understand the regulations and restrictions for their states, as well as what the penalties are. By knowing the underlying legal structure behind what they can and cannot do with alcohol, alcohol handlers are less likely to inadvertently break a law regarding the service of spirits. Penalties for the crimes committed by an over-served patron or an employee who has disregarded a law can range from fines, to loss of the establishment’s liquor license, and to jail time depending on the laws of the state.
When discussing the service of alcohol, the crime of drunk driving (or DUI) will almost always come up. Hiring servers that are certified alcohol handlers would help curb these drivers from hurting themselves, others, and/or the business that overserved them. Crimes committed under the influence of alcohol rarely only affect the imbiber, meaning that alcohol servers must be able to recognize the signs of excessive consumption and “cut” customers off, if or before they reach that point.
Possible signs of intoxication that certified alcohol handlers are trained to recognize include:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
In addition to protecting their employers and the general public, customer service professionals certified in alcohol handling can solidify and advance in their careers. Their certification shows that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively and safely serve alcoholic beverages in a variety of situations, from bars to restaurants to catered functions, and gives employers reason to hire and promote them.
These certifications are much more than just knowing how to pour a drink. Customer service professionals certified to serve alcohol understand the logic behind alcohol regulations and the science behind the drug itself, helping them to protect not only their jobs and their employers — but also the public.
