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The study, by Norwich Union Healthcare, found that 77 per cent of employers believe that alcohol is the number one threat to employee wellbeing and is encouraging sickness absence.

Drunk at work 

Alarmingly though, the research reveals that employees are broadly unaware of this problem, with just 9 per cent sharing employers' concerns.

Following research with British workers by Norwich Union Healthcare, however, it appears that alcohol in the workplace is a reality.

When questioned about their drinking habits in relation to the workplace, a third (32 per cent) admitted to having been to work with a hangover and 15 per cent even owned up to having been drunk at work.

One in 10 employees admits to this happening at least once a month and one in 20 says it happens once a week.

Of those who have had a hangover or been drunk at work, 85 per cent confirmed that it affects their performance or mood, proving the concerns of British employers are not unfounded.

Mistakes 

Employees said that alcohol affected their performance at work on a number of levels. Thirty-six per cent of employees find it hard to concentrate, 35 per cent of employees find they are less productive and 42 per cent feel tired to the point of being very sleepy.

A quarter do the minimum amount of work and go home as soon as possible, while nearly one in 10 makes lots of mistakes which they need to rectify.

The findings show that the drinking habits of the British workforce are not only having an impact on company profits but are also a threat to workers' careers and their profile within their company.

More than half of employees (54 per cent) thought that their bosses and colleagues noticed a change in their productivity as a result of drinking. 

A quarter (24 per cent) of UK employees also answered that they have felt embarrassed about something they had said or done in front of their boss and colleagues after drinking.

Medical conditions 

Dr Douglas Wright, Norwich Union Healthcare, said that it seemed that alcohol and the workplace often do go hand in hand.

He pointed out that alcohol use is associated with a number of medical conditions which can cause significant morbidity and therefore affect performance and attendance at work, costing UK plc.

“It's essential that companies have a robust Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure to tackle and, where possible, prevent any problems developing. This should include provision for support and, potentially, referral to appropriate facilities,” Dr Wright added.

Don Shenker, from Alcohol Concern, said that with many people drinking at harmful levels it was not surprising to find that it was having an effect on the workplace.

“After work or lunchtime drinks are the norm for many and in some cases this is promoted by companies as a way to build teams or just as the way 'to do business',” he added.

He warns that employers need to watch out for the early signs that alcohol may be affecting their workers in a serious way.

Health and safety 

Some occupations are worse culprits than others in regards to drinking and the workplace. The research showed that a fifth of people working in construction and 15 per cent of those working in wholesale and agriculture go to work hung over once a week.

Moreover, workers in labour intensive occupations admitted that their alcohol use did not only affect productivity but that it could potentially threaten the health and safety of themselves and others.

Sixty-one per cent of people working in manufacturing and 41 per cent in construction roles said that they found it hard to concentrate with a hangover.

A third of construction workers and nearly a quarter in manufacturing also admitted that they make lots of mistakes that they needed to rectify the following day. 

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Related links

• Norwich Union
• Alcohol Concern