Why Parties and Activities Involving Alcohol in Workplaces should be Replaced, According to Experts

Does your company frequently hold parties or even meetings at bars? Do you conduct social events that involve alcohol-centered parties? If so, you might be working for a company that has drinking as part of its culture.

According to the experts, these activities and parties in the workplaces where alcohol is involved should be replaced with more productive yet fun activities like bowling and film watching or theatre visits. This is because data show that more than 200,000 of Briton employees report to work the next day with a hangover.

This suggestion was raised by Alcohol Focus Scotland and backed up by other leading charities including Alcohol Concern and the British Liver Trust.

They highlight the negative consequences of encouraging drinking in the company's social events. For one, the employees might have to drive drunk the next morning. Another reason is that they may also not be able to work as effective and efficient.

However, for some, they would like to justify that parties like these only aim to encourage camaraderie and bonding among employees.

Alison Douglas, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said that more and more numbers of offices and companies are switching trips to the panto or bowling and encouraged others to do the same.

"The impact of alcohol in the workplace can range from sickness absence, hangovers, accidents and injuries and lost productivity." She said.

"Many workplaces decide to do different things to the traditional Christmas night out, choosing to go bowling or to a panto or Christmas show, so drinking is not the focus.

"Turning up to work with a hangover is no fun, but depending on your job, it can also be dangerous.

"If you drive it is safest to take public transport to work if you have been drinking the night before."

Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust said: "Many of us do end up drinking too much throughout the Christmas period, so thinking up an alternative to the traditional boozy office party is a great idea."