Managing Alcohol in the Workplace

Drinking can reduce the productivity of the UK economy in a number of ways. This occurs through:

• increased sickness absence: drinking 7+ (for women) or 14+ (for men) units per week raises the likelihood of absence from work through injury by 20 per
  cent
• the inability to work (unemployment and early retirement)
• premature deaths among economically active people (people of working
  age).

Combined, these three factors account for a total alcohol-related output loss to the UK economy of up to £6.4bn.

(Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project, Interim Analytical Report for the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. 2003)

High Impact Changes for Alcohol

It is important that organisations in Local Strategic Partnerships working to reduce alcohol harm have workplace alcohol policies and encourage other agencies to do likewise. (AIP 2009)

Useful Resources

• IAS Alcohol in the Workplace Factsheet
  Comprehensive factsheet produced by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) in June 2009 Providing information on: Estimated cost of alcohol-related sickness absence; Estimated cost of alcohol-related...

Chartered Institute of Professional Development

Managing Drug and Alcohol Misuse at Work Report on the CIPD survey looking at policies and procedures testing, managing and supporting employees with drug and/or alcohol problems, recruitment of individuals with previous drug and/or alcohol problems, disciplinary action and drug and alcohol misuse at work, rehabilitation of employees with drug or alcohol problems. (CIPD
Sept. 2007)

Running Alcohol Campaigns in the Workplace: a guide for HR professionals DH and CIPD guidance and activity pack

DrinkThink Units Game online board came to increase awareness about Units

The CIPD also produces, Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work: a guide for people management professionals , a guide for HR professionals, but this is restricted to CIPD members.

Health and Safety Executive

Don't mix it- A guide for employers on alcohol at work

HSE guide aimed at small and medium-sized businesses which deals with alcohol-related problems at work. It reaffirms the Government's commitment in The Health of the Nation 1 to encourage employers to intr duce workplace alcohol policies and evaluate their impact.

Home Office National Workplace Innitiative

"It is important that all businesses are aware of the potential impact of drink and drugs to their bottom line, and have in place an effective and robust workplace policy that clearly outlines a company's rules and procedures for dealing with substance misuse."

DAATS are providing workplace training as part of this national innitaitive. For more information visit workplace innitiative