Publication
HWL - Simple Guide: Alcohol and drugs in the workplace
| Contents: | Why have a policy? Legal duties and obligations Key steps The principles Developing a policy Developing a policy - agencies that can provide expert help Alcohol policies |
Why have a policy?
Surveys suggest that employers' reasons for adopting a policy include:
Staff performance
- 45%Â of male and 28%Â of female heavy drinkers report that the after-effectsof their drinking affected their work in the past week.
- 75%Â of problem drinkers are in full-time employment.
Safety
- 25%Â of accidents at work are reported as being alcohol related.
Absenteeism/Sickness
- 6?14Â million working days in the UK are estimated to be lost each year dueto alcohol-related sickness absence.
Financial considerations
- It is estimated that alcohol misuse costs industry several billion poundseach year.
Employee welfare
- A year after receiving treatment, only 7.7%Â individuals referred foralcohol counselling had been dismissed from their jobs as a result of theiralcohol problem.
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