Nearly a quarter of UK businesses admit to problems with hungover staff on Monday mornings.
Sarah Clayton, head of employment law at Heatons, said the problems are far greater than slower rates of productivity:
“It can also have more serious health and safety consequences as operating machinery or driving when feeling a little worse for wear can lead to a major workplace incident.”
Plus, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), hungover staff cost UK plc around £2.8 billion, with each employee working an average two and half days a year whilst hungover.
Clayton added: “It is advisable for managers to initially try and deal with these issues on an informal basis, by discussing their concerns with the employee. However, if the problems persist or have had a serious impact upon the business, then managers should consider whether disciplinary action is appropriate and can be justified in the circumstances.
“Dealing with alcohol-related sickness absence is far from straightforward as it is difficult to prove that an employee is ‘swinging the lead’. However, it is vital to proactively manage this type of issue, including exploring the reason for an employee’s absence in return to work interviews, to deter them from having further bouts of absence.”
Around a quarter of accidents in the workplace are alcohol-related and 12 per cent of under 30-year-olds have been off sick due to excess alcohol, according a recent survey of 1,500 firms by insurer Royal & Sun Alliance. Recent research has also shown that alcohol abuse amongst women is climbing. Separate figures from the HSE suggest that 23 per cent of women aged between 16 and 24 drink over 21 units a week. The advised limit is 14.
