TAM Training & Staff Development 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an establishment's written alcohol service policy?
- To limit management liability only
- To provide staff with clear, consistent guidelines for responsible service (Correct answer)
- To satisfy marketing requirements
- To replace the need for employee training
Correct answer: To provide staff with clear, consistent guidelines for responsible service
A written policy ensures all staff understand expectations and apply them consistently.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'progressive discipline' in the context of alcohol service violations?
- Immediately terminating any employee who makes a mistake
- Escalating consequences from coaching to termination based on severity and frequency (Correct answer)
- Ignoring minor infractions to maintain morale
- Reporting every minor error directly to the liquor board
Correct answer: Escalating consequences from coaching to termination based on severity and frequency
Progressive discipline uses graduated stepsāverbal warning, written warning, suspension, terminationāto correct behavior.
Question 3: How should a supervisor handle a staff member who admits they are uncomfortable refusing service to an aggressive guest?
- Reassign them to non-alcohol service permanently
- Provide additional role-play training and pair them with experienced staff (Correct answer)
- Tell them refusals are not their responsibility
- Document the discomfort but take no further action
Correct answer: Provide additional role-play training and pair them with experienced staff
Additional practice and mentoring builds the confidence needed to handle difficult refusal situations.
Question 4: Under TAM principles, what should training cover regarding third-party liability (dram shop laws)?
- Liability only applies to managers, not servers
- Servers and establishments can be held liable for harm caused by guests they over-served (Correct answer)
- Dram shop laws only apply to package goods stores
- Liability is waived if the guest signed in at the door
Correct answer: Servers and establishments can be held liable for harm caused by guests they over-served
Maryland dram shop law allows civil suits against servers and establishments that served visibly intoxicated patrons who then caused harm.
Question 5: A server is uncertain whether a quiet, slow-moving guest is intoxicated or just tired. What should training instruct them to do?
- Continue serving until the guest confirms they are intoxicated
- Observe additional cues, consult a colleague, and err on the side of caution (Correct answer)
- Serve one more drink and then reassess
- Ask the guest directly if they have been drinking elsewhere
Correct answer: Observe additional cues, consult a colleague, and err on the side of caution
When in doubt, gathering more behavioral data and consulting others before serving protects the guest and the establishment.
Question 6: Which element makes a TAM training program legally defensible in the event of a liability claim?
- Training was given verbally with no records
- Signed attendance sheets, dated curriculum, and supervisor sign-off (Correct answer)
- Only the manager completed the training
- Training occurred during probation period only
Correct answer: Signed attendance sheets, dated curriculum, and supervisor sign-off
Written documentation with signatures proves training occurred and what was covered, which is critical in litigation.
Question 7: What is the BEST way to introduce a new alcohol service policy change to existing staff?
- Send an email and assume staff will read it
- Hold a mandatory briefing, explain the reason for the change, and confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Post it on the staff bulletin board only
- Wait until the next scheduled annual training
Correct answer: Hold a mandatory briefing, explain the reason for the change, and confirm understanding
A mandatory briefing ensures all staff receive the update and allows questions, reducing the chance of policy violations.
TAM Training & Staff Development 3
What is the primary purpose of an establishment's written alcohol service policy?