Reducing Alcohol’s Impact on the Irish Workplace

by Marie Quinn, Workplace Wellness Co-ordinator at Drinkaware

Workplace wellness programmes are now increasingly becoming standard practice in businesses across Ireland. Such programmes can help to encourage a healthier lifestyle and, according to IBEC(1), research shows that the majority of employees are more likely to stay with an employer who shows an interest in their health and wellbeing. These initiatives typically include subjects such as mindfulness, healthy eating and physical fitness. However, very few seem to cover alcohol, which is surprising when we consider the impact that alcohol can have on the workplace through absenteeism, poor performance and accidents. .

What the research says about alcohol
The World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health(2) states that Ireland has the second highest rate of binge drinking in the world. Considering this, it may not be a surprise to read that results from the latest Healthy Ireland Survey(3)  indicate that 39% of the drinking population binge drink – consuming six or more standard drinks in one sitting – on a typical drinking occasion with this figure rising to 55% for people aged between 25 and 34 years, a life stage when careers are developing at a rapid pace.

Drinkaware research(4) found that one-in-three people in Ireland would like to drink less alcohol, with almost half (49%) stating they have already made small positive changes to their drinking habits. Of those who have made changes, physical fitness and health is the main driver behind this decision and almost all (93%) have become much more aware of the impact alcohol and excessive drinking can have on health and wellbeing. From this it is encouraging to see there is an awareness of health issues around alcohol, positive signs of desire to change habits and crucially, providing information can help improve behaviours.

The same research showed that only 3% of Irish adults surveyed could accurately identify the HSE low-risk guidelines. These guidelines recommend a maximum of 17 standard drinks spread out over the week for men, and 11 standard drinks for women. Common examples of a standard drink include a half pint of beer, small glass of wine (100ml) or pub measure of spirits (35.5ml). Drinks should be spaced out over the week, with at least two alcohol-free days, and never saved up to drink on one occasion.

What does this mean for the workplace?
Alcohol related costs to the workplace can be significant. Research shows that repeated binge drinking increases the risk of arriving to work late, leaving early and reduced productivity (presenteeism). Heavy drinking increases the risk of absenteeism. It also increases the risk of presenteeism, by as much as three-fold compared to light drinking.(5)

One in seven workers (14%) reported work-related problems due to co-workers’ drinking, according to a 2018 report from the HSE.6 The specific problems most often mentioned were that the worker’s own productivity was reduced, and having to cover for co-workers due to their drinking.

A recent IBEC study(7) showed that 12% of companies cited alcohol and alcohol-related illness as a reason for short-term absences in men, and 4% quoted the same thing for women. Data extrapolated from the Alcohol Diaries (2013) estimates that the direct cost of alcohol-related absenteeism was €4.1million, and this does not include costs of reduced productivity and accidents. Data from the report The Untold Story: alcohol’s harm to others 2018(6) reported workers having to work extra hours (on average 16.5 hours) due to co-workers’ drinking, with an estimated cost of €45.86 million annually

So, what can be done?
Irish employers have an opportunity to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, while contributing to a healthier society as a whole.

There are three main types of alcohol misuse:
* Hazardous drinking
* Harmful drinking
* Dependent drinking

Of these, harmful and hazardous drinking are most common. The impact of alcohol on the workplace is greater from those casual drinkers regularly drinking at hazardous levels (i.e. above the HSE low-risk guidelines). Dependent drinking is a medical issue and should be dealt with by the usual occupational health policy.

References
1: ibec.ie
2: WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health (2014)
3: Healthy Ireland Survey 2017
4: Drinkaware Barometer: National attitudes towards alcohol, health and wellbeing (2018)
5: Schultz, A.B., Chen, CY. & Edington, D.W. Pharmacoeconomics (2009) 27: 365.
6: Hope A, Barry J & Byrne S. (2018). The untold story: Harms experienced in the Irish population due to others’ drinking. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
7: ibec.ie