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Getting BC liquor license approval is an important milestone for businesses that wish to sell or serve liquor in this province. Once your license has been approved, your focus will likely shift to running your business, with provincial liquor licensing compliance taking a back seat to the day-to-day tasks that consume your time and energy. While it’s natural to give your attention to the daily operational aspects of your business, compliance also needs consistent attention. Compliance missteps have a way of snowballing, and often enough, businesses aren’t even aware they are committing a compliance infraction.
BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) inspectors regularly inspect liquor licensee businesses, and inspections may be unannounced. Inspectors look at many things, including intoxication, sale to minors, public disturbances associated with the business, sale or purchase of unauthorized liquor, and documents such as your liquor license, floor plan, Serving It Right certifications, and liquor register.
Read “Inspections and the enforcement process” at the LCRB website.
LCRB compliance and enforcement actions can be time consuming, anxiety provoking, and costly. Compliance infractions can result in fines, license suspension or revocation. When it comes to compliance, reactive management (“putting out fires”) doesn’t work well, because the damage is already done. When managing compliance, prevention is everything. By proactively maintaining compliance, you prevent infractions and safeguard your license and operation.
Policy & Procedures Manuals
A policy and procedures manual formalizes guidelines, rules, and processes that all employees must follow. A manual removes guesswork, ensuring that your entire team works from the same “playbook” and your business processes are consistently applied. A policy and procedures manual improves productivity, enhances communication, and ensures BC liquor license compliance. A manual serves as both a reference document and training tool.
To learn more about policy and procedures manuals, read, “A Comprehensive Guide to Procedure Manuals” at Indeed.
Compliance Training
In-house compliance training as part of employee onboarding is the best way to ensure employees will help your business remain compliant. Compliance training can be designed as a standalone process or as part of your business’s policy and procedures manual. In addition to compliance training during employee onboarding, an annual review of compliance training materials can refresh employees’ memories while underscoring the importance of compliance to the operation.
Annual Review of Policies & Procedures
A policy and procedures manual is a living document that should be updated when there are changes to company processes, licensing terms and conditions, and relevant government regulations. Your manual is only helpful to employees and your business if information within is current.
New to liquor licensing? Read “5 Things You Need to Know About BC Liquor Licensing”.
Get BC Liquor License Compliance Audits, Manuals & Training
Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors is a leading BC liquor licensing expert. Our liquor consultants provide compliance audits, manuals and training that will safeguard your liquor license and streamline your operation.
