5 tips for enjoying happy hour—without regrets

We know, because we asked PR Daily readers on Facebook, and some said they plan to knock back a few with their co-workers to kick off the weekend.

Others, however, said no way—not today, not ever. “Oh, no,” said one of PR Daily’s Facebook fans. “Much too dangerous on so many levels.”

To happy hour or not to happy hour, that is the question.

“It can be a slippery slope that I think is better dictated by office culture,” said Aaron Perlut, a partner at St. Louis-based agency Elasticity. “If it’s a conservative culture, greater care should be taken. However, if you have a more creative, laid-back culture, the typical happy hour and the typical loose-lipped imbibing that accompanies it might be acceptable.”

He said the employees at his firm often grab drinks together, because it fits with the tenor of their creative culture.

Plus, as Perlut and others explained, happy hour can help boost employee morale.

“Happy hours are generally a great thing for employee morale and for getting to know your co-workers outside of the office,” said Beth Monaghan, principal at Boston-based PR firm Inkhouse.