Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of 18 to 34-year-olds say they have gone to work still feeling drunk after boozy nights out over the past 12 months.
According to the new research from Willis Towers Watson, half (50 per cent) of these workers admit to having driven to work on these occasions. The research shows that young workers are twice as likely as colleagues aged 35 and over to come into work still feeling drunk (12 per cent) – and that those older workers that do are less likely to drive into work on these occasions (44 per cent).
Mike Blake, wellbeing lead at WTW, says,
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These alarming findings suggest that far too many of Britain’s youth are putting their safety and wellbeing, and potentially the safety of others, at risk. The human body is only capable of processing, on average, one unit of alcohol per hour. Binge drinking can mean that alcohol remains in the bloodstream many hours later. Those drinking heavily on nights out can consequently be still feeling the effects of their alcohol consumption the next day
With Christmas just around the corner and party season starting, the likelihood of workers coming into work still feeling drunk increases. Companies should be looking at what they can do to support workers and educate them on the dangers of excessive drinking on work nights.
Sensitive advice and guidance on attitudes towards alcohol and sensible drinking, ranging from workshops to intranet resources, for example, can go a long way in helping to foster a responsible workforce culture.
Just one in ten (11 per cent) workers said their employer currently provides staff with any health advice on alcohol consumption. Furthermore, almost one in five (19 per cent) said their employer has contributed to unhealthy levels of drinking – by encouraging alcohol consumption during staff nights out, for example, paying for work drinks and by promoting a work hard, play hard culture.
Mr Blake says,
Alcohol can be employed by some businesses to help them promote a laidback, trendy culture, while for others it is used as a staff reward, with some even hosting onsite bars. But there can be other, less risky, ways for them to achieve these objectives.
In addition to the detrimental effect on physical health and wellbeing, frequent and excessive alcohol consumption can also negatively impact the long-term mental health of workers. In some cases, it is used as a crutch to mask deeper psychological problems.
Alongside their vital duty of care responsibilities, employers should also be mindful of their business bottom line. The research found that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of workers have hangovers on a monthly basis that affect their productivity.
In addition, one in four (25 per cent) 18 to 34-year-olds have taken sick days in the past 12 months because of hangovers. This compares with just 13 per cent of those aged 35 and over.
Somewhat surprisingly, more than one third (38 per cent) of all workers taking time off due to hangovers admitted the reason for their absence to their boss.
Mike Blake added,
A failure to discourage or to inadvertently fan the flames of alcohol misuse can seriously jeopardise business performance through alcohol and hangover-induced downturns in energy levels – not to mention other accompanying risks, such as the negative impact on customer relations and business reputations Companies should be setting out to identify if alcohol misuse is a problem among their employees and, where necessary, review and revise wellbeing strategies to establish appropriate and effective support and intervention initiatives.
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Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
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