Ahead of National Workplace Wellbeing Day on April 13, Drinkaware is calling on businesses to think about the impact of alcohol on employees.
A report commissioned by the Department of Health in 2014 found that Irish industry loses €330 million a year to alcohol-related absence from work. The cost of lost economic output due to alcohol was estimated to have been €641 million in 2013.
Drinkaware launched its Workplace Wellbeing Programme in 2017 and has since seen a sharp increase in demand from workplaces of all sizes for its innovative range of employee initiatives.
Employers are encouraged to plan ahead and book a workshop to support employees to get the facts about alcohol and its impact on health and wellbeing so that they can make informed decisions about their drinking. To book a Drinkware Workplace Wellbeing workshop, visit drinkaware.ie or call (01 ) 517 5900 for more information.
Drinkaware CEO, Niamh Gallagher, said: “National Workplace Wellbeing Day is the perfect opportunity for your company to educate your employees on the harmful effects of alcohol and create a healthier workplace for everyone.
"Alcohol’s impact on the workplace really cannot be underestimated but it’s not always acknowledged – greater absenteeism, lower productivity, and unsafe working conditions to name a few.
"Our programme provides employees the facts about alcohol and its impact on health and wellbeing, so they can make informed decisions about their drinking. Helping your employees to live a healthier lifestyle benefits everyone in the long term — if it works for your employees, it works for you.”
Drinkaware have some simple tips for people to help manage their alcohol intake:
(1 ) Alternate each drink with a glass of water to reduce dehydration associated with alcohol.
(2 ) Always use standard drink measure: never free-pour spirits or wine.
(3 ) Never top up your wine glass – always finish one glass before refilling.
(4 ) Downsize your drink by choosing lower alcohol beer and wine.
(5 ) Avoid rounds – you may end up drinking more than you intended.
Recent research from Drinkaware found that over 80% of people feel public awareness-raising is important, demonstrating the real and tangible impact of positive information campaigns to reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland. Forty per cent of Irish people named Drinkaware as the number one trusted source of information.
Drinkaware works to educate people with the facts about alcohol and support people to make positive changes to their drinking habits and see health benefits as a result. Drinkaware wants people to understand the risks so they can keep health problems associated with alcohol to a minimum.
