WeWork Cuts Off the Free Beer to “Just” Four Glasses Per Work Day

You know the old saying It’s 5 o’clock somewhere? Well, one famed, innovative company changed that to something more like ‘it’s business hours somewhere.’  Co-working giant WeWork has long let those renting its workspaces drink unlimited beer over the course of the workday.

WeWork claims community is their catalyst. We’re thinking the bottomless craft beer doesn’t hurt.

WeWork may have thought they tapped into the ultimate source of productivity, but after recent incidents, they’re keeping their taps on semi lockdown. This potential Mad-Men-for-Millennials bro culture is slowing down, at least in one key locale.

The co-working kings are launching a pilot program in New York City to manage drinking on its properties. Those using WeWork’s New York City office spaces will only be permitted four 12-ounce pours of beer per day.

Oh, the horror. Way to take the ABV out of company morale.

Basically, they’re keeping a close watch on consumption in a pretty high-tech way. The same key card office sharing members use to enter the building will control all of the taps, and cut each person off after four drinks a day.

The taps will be completely locked from 8 pm to 11 am to prevent early birds from downing brewskis and night owls from entering chugging contests.

We’re guessing this is the first time any worker’s been cut off by a mechanized tap instead of a flesh-and-bone bartender.

“WeWork has been working on piloting an innovative, software-driven mechanism to help manage the provision of alcohol in our spaces for some time,” the company’s statement reads. “In addition to the supervision already provided by our Community Management team, mechanized tap controls will enhance this amenity we provide to our members.”

Trouble at HQ

This prohibition comes on the heels of a lawsuit centered around WeWork’s own offices rather than its co-working spaces. A former employee alleged she was sexually assaulted at two separate company events and was subsequently fired for speaking up. According to her lawsuit, the male coworkers who assaulted her claimed they were too drunk to remember what happened.

She also said Friday happy hour was essentially mandated as part of the company culture.

WeWork denied the allegations, calling them meritless in a statement. “WeWork has always been committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and safe workplace,” the statement reads.

What does this mean for WeWork shared office spaces in Texas? While we doubt any Lone Star State employees are enacting Willie Nelson’s “I Gotta Get Drunk” this still begs the question of company culture.

Right now, it’s unclear if the pilot program will take off or spread to other places. It will be held in place for 30 to 90 days in New York. Meanwhile, WeWork has two work spaces in Houston, six in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and five in Austin.

This isn’t the only controversial change WeWork has made this year.

The first one’s a sweeping change, and quite the doozy for Texans. WeWork announced this July it will eliminate meat from official office events. Disappointing but no biggie, right? Wrong. In addition, WeWork’s own employees can no longer expense red meat, pork or poultry when dining on the company’s dime.

Sure, they may eventually take away Shiner. But bye-bye to brisket? Now that’s just too much.