Research shows some employees drink on the job
Danielle Novy/Senior Staff Writer
Issue date: 1/18/06 Section: News
The trend of enjoying an after-work drink has a new twist; according to research released in January, 19.2 million U.S. employees are either drinking during the workday or nursing hangovers in the workplace.
A recent study conducted by the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found that about 15 percent of the U.S. workforce drinks during the day or just before going to work, while more than 9 percent have come to work with lingering hangovers.
The study additionally found that those who drink on the job tend to do so infrequently. More than 60 percent of those who admitted to drinking at work reported that they mixed alcohol and work less than monthly. Meanwhile, 14 percent surveyed said they drink at work on a weekly basis.
Certain occupations lend themselves more toward alcohol use, according to the study. Jobs in management, retail, entertainment media and food preparation were just a few of the occupations that were found to go hand-in-hand with a higher likelihood of drinking at work.
Irregular work hours also increased the subject's probability of having a drink or two before clocking in.
Additionally, the research found that men are more likely to drink on the job than their female counterparts, and nursing a hangover while on the clock was most common with younger or unmarried employees.
Kathleen Weaver, the director of public communications at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, said the pool of people who admitted to drinking at work or prior to work may fall into a variety of categories.
"Some people just have a drink at lunch, while other people may take a drinking break the same way people take smoking breaks," she said.
The study has garnered media attention because it was the first to delve into the drinking tendencies of Americans while at work, she said.
Weaver said Michael Frone, the study's principal investigator, wanted to research the topic so he could provide employers with statistics they could use as an aid in launching alcohol prevention programs for their employees.
A recent study conducted by the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found that about 15 percent of the U.S. workforce drinks during the day or just before going to work, while more than 9 percent have come to work with lingering hangovers.
The study additionally found that those who drink on the job tend to do so infrequently. More than 60 percent of those who admitted to drinking at work reported that they mixed alcohol and work less than monthly. Meanwhile, 14 percent surveyed said they drink at work on a weekly basis.
Certain occupations lend themselves more toward alcohol use, according to the study. Jobs in management, retail, entertainment media and food preparation were just a few of the occupations that were found to go hand-in-hand with a higher likelihood of drinking at work.
Irregular work hours also increased the subject's probability of having a drink or two before clocking in.
Additionally, the research found that men are more likely to drink on the job than their female counterparts, and nursing a hangover while on the clock was most common with younger or unmarried employees.
Kathleen Weaver, the director of public communications at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, said the pool of people who admitted to drinking at work or prior to work may fall into a variety of categories.
"Some people just have a drink at lunch, while other people may take a drinking break the same way people take smoking breaks," she said.
The study has garnered media attention because it was the first to delve into the drinking tendencies of Americans while at work, she said.
Weaver said Michael Frone, the study's principal investigator, wanted to research the topic so he could provide employers with statistics they could use as an aid in launching alcohol prevention programs for their employees.
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