Gone are the days of late-night boozing, missing your last train home, and dragging yourself to work the next day with a pounding head and a double espresso. The recruitment industry is experiencing a refreshing shift, with the social scene becoming more inclusive and embracing the rise of sober curiosity.
With wellness-focused team socials becoming a trend and businesses becoming more mindful of their sober and sober-curious staff members, there is hope that the stigma of recruitment being a particularly boozy industry will eventually fade.
More and more recruitment businesses are proving that fun and success don’t have to come with a hangover, and this trend is transforming the industry for the better!
The Rise of Sober-Curiosity
Alcohol has traditionally been a big part of team socialising in recruitment. We've all heard the saying, “Thursday is the new Friday.” But let’s be honest: that's only fun for the people who somehow survive Friday after a heavy night out with colleagues.
With the rise of sober curiosity, things are starting to shift. Picture Thursday trips to the cinema, trying out new restaurants, or Barry’s Bootcamp classes (trading an aching head for aching muscles, but it’s the *wholesome vibes* a lot of us are striving for!)
Being ‘sober-curious’ is about re-evaluating your relationship with alcohol - not necessarily cutting it out completely, but considering how it fits into your life. It’s about prioritising your mental and physical well-being and striking a balance in a world where booze is deeply embedded in Western society.
Sober curiosity doesn’t have to mean strict sobriety; it’s more about mindful drinking and what works for you – being intentional about when, why, and how much alcohol you consume so you can make better choices that align with your priorities.
Dry January is a major win for sober-curious people like myself. It's the ultimate reset button for your relationship with alcohol after too much festive (booze-fuelled) fun. For some, it can be the push they need to keep drinking more mindfully all year round.
As sober curiosity grows, initiatives like Dry January are reshaping social norms, making alcohol-free lifestyles more accepted and accessible. This shift encourages inclusivity and creates space for everyone to thrive, whether they drink or not.
So, how does one maintain the balance beyond Dry January?
If you’re in an industry where week-night drinking is the norm, find your allies. Lead the way, make suggestions, or make your own fun; others will soon join you. Change starts with you!
Office spaces like WeWork (where we're based) are stepping up, making things more welcoming to sober and sober-curious individuals. In addition to their popular yoga and wellness events, they’ve added drinks like Lucky Saint 0% beer and Kombucha on tap, ensuring everyone has an indulgent drink option for after-work socialising.
This is all well and good, but it's companies that should be doing more to ensure that their culture is inclusive for those who choose not to drink, whether that’s for religious reasons, pregnancy, addiction or sobriety, or simply wanting to make better choices.
So, it's time to create experiences that are interactive, inclusive, and FUN! At Propel, we’ve hosted everything from Michelin-starred cooking workshops to bingo, mini-golf, board game nights, team walks, and escape rooms – something for everyone, whether they’re drinking or not.
For People leaders hoping to improve their team socials this year, my top tips are:
- Incorporate activities, whether that's fitness-focused, like Sports Day or a Muay Thai Wellness session (shoutout to Jed & Zac Brecher!) or culture-oriented, like a pottery class or a paint and sip activity.
- ALWAYS provide food when alcohol is involved.
- Listen to your team – what interests them, inspires them and excites them?
The goal is to promote a workplace culture that celebrates diverse choices and supports the well-being of all employees, no matter their relationship with alcohol.
Why has it taken so long for our industry to become more inclusive?
It’s great to see more agencies embracing the sober-curious movement by creating more creative social opportunities that don’t revolve solely around alcohol.
However, introducing a more inclusive, sober-friendly culture in a recruitment business can definitely come with its challenges, especially when people are used to the more traditional, alcohol-focused social scene. It’s natural for some to feel hesitant, worrying that it might diminish the fun or affect how teams bond and connect.
The key is to approach it with open communication, making it clear that this isn’t about getting rid of the old traditions but adding more options so everyone feels comfortable and included.
Planning an activity-based social rather than just sitting down at the pub, or even just making sure there are non-alcoholic options and food provided at socials, can help show that the culture can still be just as vibrant and engaging, if not more so.
How Propel are leading the way
At Propel, we’re proud to lead by example when it comes to embracing sober curiosity. A bunch of our team are on their own inspiring journeys with sobriety, which only further fosters our inclusive and supportive culture.
For the second year in a row, we’ve created a dedicated support group for Dry January, giving everyone a chance to connect, share their experiences, and cheer each other on. We also have a group of sober allies who champion these initiatives year-round, making sure there’s always room for open conversations and encouragement.
Speaking about her journey to a more mindful relationship with alcohol, Scarlett Chorley, Head of Partnerships, says:
“When we first started changing our approach, it was challenging – alcohol had always been the default social lubricant for connecting with the team, clients, and candidates. But I realised something important: I didn't want to win business because I schmoozed someone for it or got so drunk that I tarnished my reputation (that has happened). I wanted to build authentic relationships where people could see my genuine passion for Propel and the work we do. That was a risk because it's the London life we live in, but I wanted to attract clients with a similar mindset.
Making the choice to have drink-free meetings was about showing up with clarity and intention, having real conversations, and letting time naturally deepen those connections. It's transformed how I work, making me more efficient and focused. My hope is that clients see this dedication and understand that it's part of the genuine service and partnership they'll get from working with us.”
As the recruitment industry continues to evolve, let’s hope more and more agencies create spaces where all employees, whether sober, sober-curious or simply looking for balance, feel supported. And remember, if you're a recruiter looking for new challenges in a supportive environment, you can reach out to me directly – who knows where you'll be next Dry Jan?!
