Alcohol at work
Drinking alcohol is generally regarded as an enjoyable, sociable activity. However, the workplace is not usually considered an appropriate place for consuming alcohol. In fact, sometimes alcohol and work can be a dangerous combination. In many jobs alcohol can lead to injury or an increased number of accidents, resulting from:
- impaired eyesight
- slower reaction time
- reduced concentration
- less co-ordination
- poor judgement.
In any workplace, alcohol can also lead to problems such as:
- lateness
- more time off
- reduced motivation
- poor attitude
- low morale
- poor concentration
- poor performance
- reduced efficiency
- reduced quality of work
- poor decisions being made
- poor cooperation with workmates
- damaged customer relations
- safety concerns
- bad behaviour
- poor discipline
- theft
- violence.
Such problems can arise not only from alcohol drunk before a person's shift, during working hours, at lunchtime or during breaks - the effects of heavy drinking the previous night can often last well into the next day too.
These days, more and more companies are issuing policies concerning alcohol at work, particularly for jobs that are "safety critical" (e.g. train drivers, airline pilots, firemen, paramedics etc).
