Rethinking Workplace Drinking
What we think alcohol in the workplace is:
A way to attract talent, an incentive for employee performance, and a way to connect employees and creatively problem solve solutions.
What alcohol actually is:
Alcohol is the single most used and abused drug in America, with almost 14 million Americans (1 in every 13 adults) suffering from alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Reports indicate that alcoholism and alcohol abuse cost businesses a staggering $33 billion to $68 billion per year.
What alcohol in the workplace means for HR is:
- sick leave
- overtime pay
- insurance claims
- tardiness
- workers’ compensation
- friction among workers
- damage to equipment
- poor decisions
- damage to the business’s public image
- employee turnover
- increase in sexual harassment
What employees want in regards to company perks:
Nearly three-quarters of workers say they want their employers to champion mental health and well-being in the workplace. This is rated as more important than equality (48%), sustainability (38%) and diversity (31%), according to Forbes.
In the U.S., employees report valuing benefits, time off, and other perks well ahead of company happy hours. There are many generous, more creative rewards that boost employee engagement, retention and moral, with much less liability.
Free Download for HR Professionals and Leaders to promote Health and Wellness
