The charity "Health@Work" has flagged-up an alert to local firms over the cost of over-indulgence in the seasonal cheer.
According to recent figures, UK businesses could be losing more than #216m in ‘sick days’ across the festive season, as a result of over indulgence at Christmas parties.
Figures published recently* show that 2.31 million UK workers admit to taking sick days following an accident or a hangover from a Christmas party. Men are 88% more likely than women to call in sick, and directors and managers are 67% more likely to call in sick than the rest of the workforce.
Keith Gorman from Health@Work said: “Alcohol misuse can be a huge threat to the successful operation of businesses, especially during the festive period. Whilst staff should be able to relax and enjoy a Christmas party, they should be careful to drink sensibly and not put their company or jobs in jeopardy.”
Health@Work, in conjunction with Liverpool Primary Care Trust, has their own ‘Clarity’ campaign team who offer a variety of services to employers to help combat alcohol misuse in the workplace.
The team will visit workplaces to help develop alcohol policies, raise awareness among employees and devise procedures to deal with alcohol-related problems.
Annually in England alone, over 17 million working days are lost as a result of alcohol misuse. Workplace alcohol misuse is seen as a drain on the national economy with total cost averaging £6.4 billion a year.
For further information on the charity or for a free Workplace Alcohol Campaign Pack please call 0151 236 6608 or visit www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk.
* The data comes from the Aviva ‘Morning after report’ December 2009.
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