British insurance giant Lloyd’s of London has called last orders on daytime drinking for workers after the discovery that half of employee disciplinary cases relate to alcohol. No more Wolf of Wall Street-style three-martini lunches then, as rule breakers could face the sack. Staff at Lloyd’s are reported to be unhappy with the ban, but what do other City workers think? Is this the end of the liquid lunch? We took to the streets to find out.
David, 64, insurance broker
It’s all about client relationships. If you want go out and have a quick beer then fine, I believe that should be OK. I work in insurance and I live by what they give me at dinner – so I have to have those relationships. It’s a lot more sophisticated than it was 20 years ago. Now you can’t go out and get annihilated at lunchtime and expect to do business.
Linda, 22, analyst
I usually work in New York where no one really drinks at lunch, unless they’re going to client meetings. It’s kind of frowned upon for someone of my age. It’s more prevalent here, though.
Scott, 53, builder
Well, they do on the continent, don’t they? But drinking at lunchtime is a complete no-no for me as a builder. If they smell it on your breath then you’re out.
Chris, 76, retired chartered surveyor
Why stop at lunch? For me, it’s lunchtime from the time you get up to the time you go to bed. Back in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, we used to go out for very long liquid lunches as a matter of course – even if you weren’t a drinker.
Nick, 62, marine insurance consultant
I do think banning lunchtime drinking is a bit nanny state. Gone are the days of the massively long lunches in the City, but drinking is part of the culture. Still, you shouldn’t go back to work if you’re half-cut; that’s asking for trouble.
Jayden, 35, and Ramiz, 29, both insurance brokers
Ramiz: I think if you’re drinking in moderation then it’s probably OK, but I understand why they’ve banned it.
Jayden: Drinking at lunch can be a good way to interact with the business and different people, and so it’s part of relationship-building. Obviously, you don’t want to come back to work completely pissed.
Monique, 38, project and support manager
I’m not a big drinker and, as I’m usually by myself at lunch, I wouldn’t. I don’t think there’s any harm in one drink – but I don’t think a lot of the people who go for a drink at lunchtime only have one. I know there’s a lot of uproar about Lloyd’s deciding to not allow drinking, but I don’t think it’s going to become a massive trend.
