Educate workers on the effect of alcohol consumption on productivity

Almost a quarter 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 half (50%) 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%).

Just one in ten workers said their employer currently provides staff with any health advice on alcohol consumption. Furthermore, almost one in five 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.

The research found that more than a quarter of workers have hangovers on a monthly basis that affect their productivity. In addition, one in four 18 to 34-year-olds have taken sick days in the past 12 months because of hangovers. This compares with just 13% of those aged 35 and over.

Somewhat surprisingly, more than one third of all workers taking time off due to hangovers admitted the reason for their absence to their boss.