One in three UK workers have called in sick after drinking alcohol at a work function or spending hours with colleagues, a survey has found.
Many employees feel pressured to drink against their wishes in work-related settings, despite major changes showing that younger adults are drinking less alcohol than their predecessors.
The findings are contained in a report by the IPPR think tank. It found that many employers were not on board with the generational change in attitudes to drinking, as they still held workplace social events in pubs or pubs or made alcohol a main feature of the events.
The report highlights, by contrast, how restaurant chain Wagamama improved morale and cohesion by replacing alcohol-centric staff social gatherings with explicitly alcohol-free events such as pottery workshops, yoga classes, running clubs and boxing sessions.
The IPPR findings are based in part on a representative survey of 2,083 working-age British adults conducted by public opinion polling firm Public First. Even as drinking habits change, workplace cultural pressures continue to cause harm, the think tank said.
Survey results:
Last year, 32% of workers called in sick the next day after drinking alcohol at a work event or with coworkers.
41% of 18-24 year olds were unable to work due to a hangover, while 47% of 25-34 year olds suffered from a hangover.
22% of employees in education and 24% of employees in health and social care have had a drink after or after work in the past six months and left work crying the next day, with a fifth of those in both sectors reporting to work late the next day.
28% believe drinking at work events excludes non-drinkers or creates cliques.
IPPR, which is influential in the Labor government, said workplace drinking was not just a hangover, it was a productivity crisis and the toll of alcohol was now a national economic problem.
Sebastian Rees, head of health at the think tank, said: On the one hand, Gen Z is drinking less alcohol than previous generations, and some employers are taking welcome steps to move away from alcohol-centric work events. But Britain's work culture is still deeply rooted in drinking. A glass of wine after work, a glass of wine at a networking event or a social gathering in the pub are still at the heart of many jobs.
IPPR has urged ministers to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol in England. This is evidence suggesting alcohol-related deaths are falling in Scotland and calls on employers to do more about workplace drinking.
Dr Richard Piper, of Alcohol Change UK, which funded the report, said he objected to endless claims about the economic benefits provided by the alcohol industry.
Alcohol interferes with the daily functioning and performance of our workplaces and the overall strength of our economy, he said. When alcohol dominates work culture, both productivity and well-being take a hit, making life much more difficult for those who don't drink or want to drink less.
The Confederation of British Industry said employers should ensure employees do not feel pressured to drink at work events. Having a clear policy is an important starting point. [to making events inclusive] Matthew Percival, director of the future of jobs and skills at the CBI, said more and more employers had policies on alcohol. There are many reasons why individuals may not want to drink alcohol at work events, and no one should be pressured to do so.
The government declined to respond directly to the IPPR report. A spokesperson said: As part of our 10-year health plan, we are supporting people to make healthier choices through a shift from disease to prevention, while building an NHS fit for the future. This includes introducing mandatory requirements for alcoholic beverages to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.
The government also provided an additional $310 million to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and expand recovery support.
We continue to review measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, including changing alcohol tariffs and introducing minimum unit prices.
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