A recent survey reveals a troubling trend in the UK’s workplace culture, highlighting the significant impact of alcohol consumption on employee productivity. Almost one in three UK workers have taken a sick day after going to work-related drinking bashes. In truth, 32% even confessed to calling in a day’s work in the last twelve months after hangovers from such trips. The data is stark, and it underscores concerns around alcohol consumption at work events. Many employees report feeling left out or forced to partake in drinking, further exacerbating these issues.
The survey further reveals that 28% of respondents feel that drinking at work events encourages cliques and leaves out people who don’t drink. This exclusionary atmosphere can discourage participation from employees who prefer to abstain from alcohol, highlighting a growing need for more inclusive workplace practices.
According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), workplace drinking affects much more than the workplace social scene. …they term it a “productivity crisis.” Dr. Richard Piper reveals a shocking issue. He calls out the ludicrous claims by the alcohol industry themselves about how much they contribute economically, while alcohol-related absenteeism and lost productivity have become economic crisis at the national level.
In the education and training sector, 22% of employees admitted to missing a workday due to drinking at or after work in the past half-year. 24% of health and social care employees reported being in a similar position. Most alarmingly, a fifth of workers from both industries went to work late after drinking outings.
The majority of younger employees aged 18 to 24 admitted that 41% of them had been too hungover to work. Things were even worse for those in the 25 to 34 age range, with 47% acknowledging the same failure. These figures point to an important and growing consideration for employers. To do this, they need to recalibrate their event policies and the current climate around alcohol use.
Another consideration is the fact that Gen Z consumes less alcohol than past generations. In the face of this, Sebastian Rees sees hope in the positive steps some employers are taking to move away from alcohol-centered work events. The UK’s professional culture is still steeped in alcohol. Nothing fosters good spirit like a pint after work. Sometimes it’s a glass of wine at a networking event or a social at the local pub that makes all the difference in fostering those professional relationships.
To combat these problems, employers are taking steps to improve workplace culture and make their work environments better for the labor force. Clear policies about alcohol use at workplace events are more important than ever. Matthew Percival stated, “Having clear policies is an important starting point to making events inclusive, and a growing number of employers have policies specifically about alcohol.”
Furthermore, a government spokesperson reinforced the commitment to promoting healthier choices, saying, “As part of our 10-year health plan, we are supporting people to make healthier choices through our shift from sickness to prevention as we build an NHS fit for the future. This includes committing to introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.”
The results from this year’s survey are a wakeup call for organizations, big or small, in every corner of the UK. To meaningfully support inclusivity and employee health, employers need to do better than address the issue, and that starts with rethinking workplace drinking. Creating a culture of respect that respects people’s decisions can dramatically increase productivity. Simultaneously, it benefits businesses by contributing to a safer and healthier workplace culture and lowering the pressure to consume alcohol.