According to alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware, the average person goes to work suffering from the effects of too much alcohol three times a month and, of those who are hungover, almost one in five admit struggling to keep on top of their workload and to making mistakes (17%).
In addition, nearly one in 10 (7%) people with a hangover have had to leave work early because they were too poorly to carry on.
With the World Cup football tournament commencing next month, Drinkaware predicts these figures will increase in June and July, having a direct impact on workplace productivity up and down the country.
The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 adults, also revealed contradictory perceptions of drinking with nearly two thirds (60%) of respondents admitting they've joked about having a hangover with their colleague or boss, despite nine out of 10 people thinking that having a hangover at work is unacceptable (89%).
Chris Sorek, CEO of Drinkaware, says, "Having a hangover at work doesn't just affect the person who has drunk to excess. With hundreds of thousands of people going to work every day after a heavy night, it impacts work productivity and even results in employees going home sick.
"An international sporting event like the World Cup will inevitably capture the attention of the nation and is a great time for people to come together, but hangovers at work are likely to increase. That's why we have teamed up with Bupa to provide employers with handy tips on staff drinking and hangovers at work, to make the event a better experience for everyone."
Bupa advises employers to:
- Set out a clear alcohol policy to ensure all employees know what is acceptable. Our research revealed that 40% of adults in Great Britain don't know if there is a formal procedure in their organisation to deal with colleagues regularly turning up to work with a hangover
- Be aware that while many people may joke about having a hangover at work, intoxicated or hungover employees can be disruptive and unproductive, cause accidents and upset other members of staff
- Question someone who is apparently intoxicated. Employers have a duty of care to their employees and can ask the person to go home. However, any incident should be investigated thoroughly in case there are underlying reasons for the behaviour
