Alcohol problems in Industry

According to the Department of Health. Alcohol problems cost British Industry £2billion pounds per annum .The research data defines alcohol-related work problems as those that are costly to the employer. The human cost cannot be calculated. Alcoholism affects all social professions, some being at greater risk than others. Publicans are part of a group who seem to be at greater risk than most.

Given the pressures the job involves it is not hard to see why people may be driven to alcohol abuse. The mere fact that the work place of the landlord is surrounded by alcohol and he has to be seen as the convivial host can often bring pressure to have more than the odd drunk. Other factors too can be instrumental in causing drink dependency. People sometimes forget that landlord has a life outside the pub, and that normal day to day worries, combined with running a small business can put them under a great deal of pressure.

This is therefore a major issue and while legislation in the UK provides no arrangements relating to alcohol consumption in the workplace, it would be an important step forward for pub chains and brewers to develop an alcohol policy, which covered Licensees.

This hopefully would make provision for help and aim for early detection of problems. Also it would impose restrictions on alcohol consumption within the workplace. Alcoholism is an illness and should be treated as any other human health condition. It can and does affect anybody at any age. Please note the Health and Safety Executive, Department of health have recently edited a guide “The Problem Drinker at Work” which covers these areas in detail.