Staff admit being drunk at work

Updated 11.24 Wed May 07 2008

More than one in ten employees has been drunk at work, and one in three hungover, a new poll claims.

The survey of 1,000 people and 250 businesses found almost a third of employees (32 per cent) had been to work with a hangover and 15 per cent had been drunk at work.

Those going into work feeling worse for wear admit making mistakes, doing as little as possible, going home early and struggling to concentrate

One in ten said this happened at least once a month, while one in 20 said it was once a week.

Those going into work feeling worse for wear admitted making mistakes, doing as little as possible, going home early and struggling to concentrate.

People working in media and creative jobs were the worst culprits, with 41 per cent admitting they have been to work while still drunk.

A quarter of those in construction have done the same, as have 23 per cent of people working in professional and business services and 15 per cent of people in IT.

More than three quarters of employers (77 per cent) said they believe alcohol is the number one threat to employee well-being and is encouraging sickness absence.

Dr Douglas Wright, from Norwich Union Healthcare, which carried out the survey, said: "It seems that alcohol and the workplace often do go hand in hand.

"Sadly, alcohol use is associated with a number of medical conditions which can cause significant morbidity and therefore affect performance and attendance at work.

"It's essential that companies have a robust drug and alcohol policy and procedure to tackle and, where possible, prevent any problems developing."