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Britain’s drinking culture is creating increasing problems for small businesses, and it will only be exacerbated by the arrival of the World Cup later this month.

Royal & SunAlliance’s (R&SA) study into ‘Alcohol in the workplace’, which was commissioned to investigate the effect of 24-hour licensing laws, reveals that one in six employees have been under the influence whilst at work in the last six months. Although matters have not worsened with the introduction of new drinking hours, the report highlights the ongoing issues with alcohol that are affecting workplace performance in Britain.

The main culprits are those under 30, with 12 per cent admitting to pulling an alcohol-related sickie. There also appears to be a distinct North-South divide, with employees in London and the Southeast outdoing Northern England where drinking was at its lowest. All told, British businesses are losing to up to 14 million working days per year.

Employers are right to be concerned as, ‘the effects of alcohol can be extensive, from an increased number of accidents in the workplace or lateness due to hangovers, through to impaired decision-making, and a poor image for customers or clients,’ explains Phil Bell from R&SA. Furthermore, hungover staff’s inadequacies have to be covered by their more sober and responsible colleagues.

And, with the World Cup kicking off this month, the problem of alcohol-related absences has risen to the top of many employers’ agendas. In an attempt to combat absenteeism, R&SA are encouraging companies to have a clearly-defined alcohol policy, while 20 per cent of companies will be showing England matches in the workplace to deter employers from sneaking off to the pub.

For more ways of managing staff during the tournament, read our guide on How to avoid World Cup woe.

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