There’s no more fitting a time than the weeks running up to Christmas, to highlight the concerns about alcohol misuse, particularly in the workplace, warns workplace health and wellbeing organisation, Health@Work.
Alcohol misuse over the festive season
Health@Work regularly works with organisations to get their workforce thinking about their alcohol intake and how it effects their performance both in and out of work.
Health@Work Senior Consultant, Kevin Yip, said: “Alcohol misuse is a major issue in the UK, but businesses can play a big role in reducing the problem.
“It is in the interests of employers to tackle this problem, particularly as some 17 million working days are lost annually in England every year due to alcohol related sickness.”
“By tackling the problem businesses can reduce absence rates, improve productivity and staff morale, which will directly affect the bottom line.
“Businesses can work with staff to identify people with potential problems early on and refer them to where they can find support to help overcome alcohol issues.”
In addition to offering free information and advice, Health@Work offers a variety of resources and techniques for business and individuals, such as their alcohol audits, unit calculator and drink diaries.
Health@Work also works in partnership with Liverpool PCT, offering Workplace Wellbeing Charter status to Liverpool businesses. This focuses on helping businesses improve seven key areas – alcohol and substance misuse, leadership, sickness and absence management, smoking, mental health and stress, healthy eating and physical activity.
Health@Work is encouraging anyone concerned about their own drinking habits or those of employees or colleagues to contact them direct via 0151 236 6608, for free, confidential advice.
For further information or to complete the alcohol audit online, please visit: www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk or www.whatsyours-liverpool.nhs.uk
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This alcohol awareness week Alcohol Concern have brilliantly suggested, without being judgmental or patronizing, we start talking about drinking. Not everyone who succumbs to illness through drinking is an alcoholic, they have just been drinking too much for too long.
Christmas is one day, from which, over the last ten years, more and more of us who work in treatment for alcohol misuse are seeing catastrophic events within families and friends. They have followed this up with a joint effort for Dry January, if you would like to take part, here is the link.
http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/campaign/dry-january
I love to see people having a good time, moderation is a beautiful thing,sadly it seems to fly out of the window more often these days, and not just with the young with an attitude of invincibility! Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Christmas.
on November 21, 2012 at 9:57 am sarah turner