4th October 2005
This year's Chief Medical Officer's Report by leading disability insurer, UnumProvident, suggests that UK employers have failed to address the growing problem of alcoholism, and how it may detrimentally impact upon the workplace and overall company productivity and profitability.
According to the report, most employers are not aware of the cost of employee drinking. But it is estimated that inappropriate drinking costs employers £6.4 billion annually through absence, accidents and violence. Up to 17 million working days per year are lost through alcohol-related sickness absence and up to 20 million days per year are lost through lower activity rates and increased mistakes due to alcohol consumption.
Employers are also being urged to reconsider their policies concerning lunchtime drinking, entertaining of clients and staff parties, where alcohol can be drunk to excess.
UnumProvident's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael O'Donnell, said:
Between 1980 and 2000, there has been a massive 121% increase in the number of deaths from cirrhosis of the liver. So far, the impact of a growing dependence on, and in some cases addiction to, alcohol is only being discussed in terms of morality and the cost to the NHS.
There has been little debate on what role employers should play when the negative effects of alcoholism becomes apparent in the workplace. As a disability insurer committed to helping employees return to work after sickness or ill health, we think it vital that employers comprehend how excessive alcohol consumption by their staff may lead to long-term absences due to cirrhosis of the liver and related health problems.
Prevalence studies suggest that one in twelve employees has some kind of drinking problem, representing a three-fold increase in the last decade. The most recent British Household survey showed that 26% of working men had consumed more than eight alcohol units on at least one day and that 14% of working women had consumed more than 6 units on one day.
Signs of alcohol misuse or addiction may be repeated but trivial absences for work on Mondays or Fridays or repeated episodes of time off for gastric problems or minor injuries.
Dr Jacqueline Chang, addiction and family therapist and author of the article, Alcohol and drug problems in the workplace, which features in UnumProvident's Report, says:
Even if some managers see a possible link between alcohol and absence, they may be reluctant to confront it, hesitating to intrude on their employee's private lives.
There may also be concern about legal liability and a complete lack of knowledge about how to approach the problem. The management of alcohol problems amongst staff should be seen as part of regular healthcare.
Published this week, UnumProvident's Chief Medical Officer's report examines future trends in health and behaviour including childhood obesity, the long-term effects of alcohol and reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus.
To obtain a copy of the report please contact Pauline Waters on 01306 873 283.
ENDS