More than half a million people hungover at work each day
26 May 2010
With the World Cup looming, Drinkaware teams up with Bupa to advise employers how to manage alcohol in the workplace.
Each day more than 520,000 people in Great Britain go to work with a hangover, according to new research*** by alcohol charity Drinkaware*.
The findings, released today, show that the average person goes to work suffering from the effects of too much alcohol three times a month and of those who are hungover, almost one in five admit struggling to keep on top of their workload and to making mistakes (17%). In addition, nearly one in 10 (7%) people with a hangover have had to leave work early because they were too poorly to carry on. With the World Cup football tournament commencing next month, Drinkaware predicts these figures will increase in June and July, having a direct impact on workplace productivity up and down the country.
The study, which surveyed more than 1000 adults, also revealed contradictory perceptions of drinking with nearly two thirds (60%) of respondents admitting they’ve joked about having a hangover with their colleague or boss, despite nine out of 10 people thinking that having a hangover at work is unacceptable (89%).
To help employers during the World Cup, Drinkaware has teamed up with healthcare provider, Bupa, which looks after the health of employees at over 80% of the FTSE 100, to offer advice about how to manage alcohol in the workplace.
Chris Sorek, CEO of Drinkaware, says, “Having a hangover at work doesn’t just affect the person who has drunk to excess. With hundreds of thousands of people going to work every day after a heavy night, it impacts work productivity and even results in employees going home sick.
“An international sporting event like the World Cup will inevitably capture the attention of the nation and is a great time for people to come together, but hangovers at work are likely to increase. That’s why we have teamed up with Bupa to provide employers with handy tips on staff drinking and hangovers at work, to make the event a better experience for everyone.”
Drinkaware and Bupa advise employers to;
• Set out a clear alcohol policy to ensure all employees know what is acceptable. Our research revealed that 40% of adults in Great Britain don’t know if there is a formal procedure in their organisation to deal with colleagues regularly turning up to work with a hangover.
• Be aware that while many people may joke about having a hangover at work, intoxicated or hungover employees can be disruptive and unproductive, cause accidents and upset other members of staff.
• Question someone who is apparently intoxicated. Employers have a duty of care to their employees and can ask the person to go home. However, any incident should be investigated thoroughly in case there are underlying reasons for the behaviour.
As Dr Katrina Herren, Medical Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing explains “As an employer, it is important not to ignore the effects of alcohol on employees or the adverse effects it can have on the workplace environment. Employees should also be aware that if someone is regularly coming into work with a hangover this could be a sign of wider alcohol or mental health problems.”
For more tips and information about alcohol in the workplace visit www.drinkaware.co.uk.
[Ends]
For further information please contact the Drinkaware media team on 020 7766 9910 or mediateam@drinkaware.co.uk
Laura Bryce
Communications Officer
Drinkaware
Phone: 020 7766 9920
Email: lbryce@drinkaware.co.uk
Becky Medhurst
Communications Officer
Drinkaware
Phone: 020 7766 9909
Email: bmedhurst@drinkaware.co.uk
Samantha Maslen, Corporate Communications Manager, Bupa
+44 (0)207 656 2638, samantha.maslen@bupa.com or
Bupa Corporate Affairs, +44 (0)20 7656 2454, bupapressoffice@bupa.com
Notes to Editors
• About Bupa
Bupa is a leading international healthcare provider. Established in 1947, it has over ten million customers in more than 190 countries and employs over 52,000 people around the world. Its main interests are health insurance, care homes for young disabled and older people, workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching and healthcare services in the home. While Bupa’s largest and original business is in the UK, it has significant operations around the world including Sanitas in Spain, MBF, HBA, Mutual Community in Australia, IHI in Denmark and Health Dialog in the US. Bupa also has businesses in Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Latin America. In addition, Bupa Care Services owns care homes in Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Bupa has no shareholders. We reinvest our money to provide better healthcare for our customers, helping them to live longer, healthier, happier lives.
• About Drinkaware
* Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works with the medical profession, the alcohol industry, government and independent members to achieve its goals.
• ** Drinkaware advises men to stick to the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (a pint and a half of lager) and women to stick to 2-3 units per day (a 175ml glass of wine).
• ***ICM interviewed a random sample of 1085 GB adults aged 18+ from its online panel between 25th – 27th September 2009. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
The number of people hungover every day is calculated according to the number of workers who are hungover at least once a month, divided by average number of working days (22 per month) extrapolated to the population. and approved by ICM.
- Page last updated by
- Becky Medhurst, 26 May 2010.
