Alcohol use in the workplace
Learn how to manage alcohol use in your workplace and help employees by providing them with the skills to address issues with care and confidence.
Why alcohol use can occur
There are many reasons why alcohol use can occur, including:
Social culture
A workplace culture that encourages drinking at or after work-related events can contribute to increased absenteeism.
Normalising alcohol use in social settings may lead to hangovers, reduced productivity and higher rates of sickness absence the following day.
This can also make it harder for employees to moderate their alcohol consumption
Family history
Growing up around alcohol use can increase the risk of developing similar behaviours and may increase vulnerability to alcohol-related sickness and absenteeism later in life.
Personal circumstances
Stress, grief, trauma, or mental health challenges can lead people to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
This may make their physical and mental health worse over time, resulting in more days off work.
Workplace stress
High workloads, long hours and workplace pressure can drive employees to drink to unwind. Over time, this can contribute to sickness absence, burnout and reduced performance. Visit our stress management topic page for more information about stress at work.
Some people who use alcohol may find it difficult to manage emotions or think about long-term consequences, focusing instead on short-term relief or social connection.
Find out more about addictive behaviours in the workplace.
Page last reviewed: 18th November 2025
