Employers urged to curb drinking culture

Employers are being urged not to centre Christmas celebrations around alcohol after research found that 33% of workers feel pressured to drink at work parties.

The YouGov poll of over 2,400 adults for Drinkaware revealed that 61% of drinkers overindulge during the festive season, with more feeling the pressure to drink at work parties (33%) than on Christmas Day (20%).

Some 16% admitted to having done something they regretted at a work party, while more than one in 10 adult drinkers (13%) said that they avoided social occasions altogether over Christmas due to the pressure to drink.

Drinkaware chief executive Elaine Hindal said: "This new research shows just how much drinking is ingrained within the UK's work culture during the festive period, with many people feeling more pressure to drink.

"Over-indulging can lead to mistakes, regrets and hangovers - as well as increasing the risk of developing a range of diseases if consumption regularly exceeds the Chief Medical Officers' low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units of alcohol a week.

"Pubs, bars and clubs will be busy with revellers this season, but licensees shouldn't forget that they're also employers. They could be asking themselves whether their celebration culture is centred too heavily around alcohol and if they can offer alternative choices at their team Christmas parties."

Hindal added that hospitality venues should put in place measures to aid those seeking to avoid alcohol such as offering an interesting range of low and no alcohol drinks and offering smaller servings of alcohol.

Drinkaware's research found that men admit to having six drinks on Christmas Day, the equivalent of 14 units.