The workplace isn’t the place you’d first think of when
wanting an alcoholic beverage or two, but some companies are lenient on the
matter, allowing lunch break tipples or champagne when entertaining clients
etc. Here we’ll outline the pros, cons and things to consider for employers
when implementing an alcohol policy.
Pros
Drinking alcohol is a very social pastime – especially when
the sun is shining. If employees are cooped up in an office for the entire
morning, sitting out in a beer garden taking in the warm air sounds like bliss
for many.
A beer or glass of wine to accompany lunch may allow
employees to relax and de-stress, and socialise with colleagues. Socialisation
at work may boost relationships and overall make the workforce a friendlier and
happier one. More informal conversation
with a beer in hand may also promote collaboration and work project ideas being
sparked in the relaxed atmosphere.
Some employers like to join employees and encourage
relaxation with a drink at work, believing that workforce morale is a key
factor in a successful business. A
office development in Soho, London even reported to be installing ‘Press for Champagne’ buttons at desks, but according to the developers, the
buttons are for use out-of-working hours; an end of the day treat, if you will.
When employees could drink
Like just mentioned, lunch breaks or, more commonly, after
work are times where employees may enjoy a drink or two. Out-of-hours drinking
is more common as the worries of decreased productivity are gone as work is
done for the day, and makes most sense to some.
Other times employees may drink is to, again, be social but while
working. These instances could include at functions or events, or when
entertaining clients. Drinking in these situations, in moderation, is normally
allowed by employers in many fields of business.
Of course, if too much alcohol is consumed or an individual
has a problem with alcoholism, actions should be taken to offer help and to
prevent unprofessionalism being portrayed.
A guide by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notes that as an employer, “you have
a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure, as
far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of your
employees. Similarly, your employees are also required to take reasonable care
of themselves and others who could be affected by what they do. In the
transport industry, there is additional legislation in place to control the
misuse of alcohol and drugs.”
Effects on performance
As it’s known, consuming alcohol in any situation affects
judgement and physical co-ordination, and so drinking within work hours could
arguably affect work performance. With alcohol in the bloodstream, focus and concentration
may be reduced, therefore potentially decreasing productivity.
Setting restrictions or a zero tolerance policy is something
to consider if you notice employee’s quality and quantity of work is noticeably
worse after a lunch time drink.
Absences
As a final point, employees drinking too regularly or too
much can also affect the workforce as a whole. The same report from the HSE
states that an estimated 3-5% of work absences are related to alcohol; whether
that’s too many drinks the night before leaving employees with a nasty
hangover, or a more serious problem.
While employers can only really outline do’s and don’ts
within work hours, if alcohol use at any time of the day affects negatively on
productivity at work, employers are entitled to, and expected to, investigate
and look into the use of alcohol amongst employees. This is not only to benefit
the employees themselves, but the company and success of it as a whole.
Laura Sewell
An
aspiring journalist, Laura is our Content Writer. Pop-punk gig-goer and drag queen enthusiast,
Laura is working her way into the industry with a love of writing about
anything and everything in tow.
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