A recent survey tells the story of that trend in a jarring way. Nearly one in three UK employees owned up to taking sick days on account of a past year’s worth of work socialising. The results reveal a troubling trend regarding the role of workplace drinking in harming employee health and productivity.
According to the survey, 32% of UK employees admitted to taking a sick day due to hangovers after attending work events or socializing with colleagues. No one bears the brunt of this problem more than younger workers. An incredible 41% of 18 to 24-year-olds report that they’ve missed work due to hangover. Similar trends continue among mature workers. An alarming 47% of those 25 to 34 said they were experiencing the same thing.
The survey found out that certain industries have a greater absenteeism rate due to increased alcohol use. In the education sector, 22% of staff have missed work over the last six months due to alcohol consumption. At the same time, 24% of health and social care professionals confirmed they suffered from the same problem. What’s more, one-fifth of workers in each industry confessed to reporting to work late as a result of having consumed alcohol.
The new report, funded by Alcohol Change UK, explores some of the wider impacts of workplace drinking. The chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, Dr. Richard Piper, highlighted this negative trend as particularly concerning in the data. This problem is a major drain on both personal health and institutional productivity. He criticized the “endless alcohol industry overclaim about the economic benefits it delivers,” suggesting that these claims overlook the substantial costs associated with alcohol-related absences.
Sebastian Rees, head of health at the IPPR thinktank, raised an acute concern. He reminded us that workplace drinking has evolved from an individual lifestyle decision to a widespread “productivity crisis.” He noted that the youngest generations, particularly Gen Z, are drinking less than previous cohorts. The drinking culture persists, despite the increased professionalism among UK’s culture.
“On one hand, Gen Z are drinking less than previous generations, and some employers are taking welcome steps to move away from alcohol-centred work events. Yet the UK’s professional culture remains deeply rooted in drinking. A pint after work, a glass of wine at a networking event or a social at the pub still sit at the heart of many careers.” – Sebastian Rees
The survey revealed that 28% of workers believe workplace drinking fosters an environment that excludes non-drinkers or creates cliques. This perception ignites urgent and complex questions about the prerequisites for corporate culture inclusivity. It further highlights the urgent need for explicit policies against alcohol at work-related functions.
Matthew Percival, director of future work and skills at the CBI, highlighted the need for governments to create inclusive policies. He stated, “Having clear policies is an important starting point [to making events inclusive], and a growing number of employers have policies specifically about alcohol.” Percival noted that there are plenty of good reasons for people to opt out of drinking alcohol at work functions. He made a point to stress that no one should ever feel obligated to join in.
“There are many reasons why individuals may not wish to consume alcohol at work events, and nobody should ever feel pressured to do so.” – Matthew Percival
Government representatives recognize these challenges and are committed to creating workplace environments that promote health. A spokesperson stated, “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.”