One In Four Young Employees Admit To Going To Work Drunk In The UK

Research by the risk management company Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has found that just under a quarter (24%) of 18 to 34-year-olds in the United Kingdom have admitted to starting their working day while they were still intoxicated.

Interestingly enough, that same survey also found that 50% of this 18 to 34 demographic owned up to having driven to work while still under the influence as well, with people aged of 35 or over less likely to do this (44%).

So we’re confused…24 percent of youthful employees admit to working while drunk and 50 percent of that same demo report that they drove to work still blasted.

So what’s the deal?

We understand the need to cover one’s ass when coming into the workplace drunk, but how can 50% of youthful workers in the UK admit to driving to work alcohol-addled and only 24% of those same respondents confess to being drunk in the office.

Someone’s not being entirely honest so forgive us our skepticism…

And the fact that the survey of 2000 found that 44 percent of people over the age of 35 admitted to driving into work drunk, calls into question that only 12 percent of those older respondents (35+) claimed to starting have started their working day while still intoxicated.

Undeterred by our criticism Matt Blake, Wellbeing Lead at WTW said: “These alarming findings suggest that far too many of Britain’s youth are putting their safety and wellbeing, and potentially the safety of others, at risk.”

38% of employees admitted to having disclosed to their boss that these sick days were taken due to a hangover according to the Drinks Business. And nearly one in five (19%) of those surveyed said that their employer’s culture played a part in unhealthy levels of drinking through encouraging a “work hard, play hard” atmosphere.

And WTW’s Matt Blake added that upcoming holidays can only compound things for some…

 “With Christmas just around the corner and party season starting, the likelihood of workers coming into work still feeling drunk increases. Companies should be looking at what they can do to support workers and educate them on the dangers of excessive drinking on work nights.”