One in four young people in UK admit going to work drunk

Just under a quarter (24%) of 18 to 34-year-olds in the UK have said they have gone to work still feeling the effects of boozy nights out, a survey has found.

One in four young people have admitted to coming to work still feeling the effects of a boozy night out.

Research by the risk management company Willis Towers Watson (WTW) also shows half of these young people (50%) admit 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%).

The survey of 2,000 UK workers showed that people over 35 were half as likely (12%) to go into work if they were still feeling drunk.

13% of workers over the age of 35 admitted to taking a sick day due to a hangover, while one in four (25%) of young people had admitted to doing this.

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.

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.

Blake added: “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.”

Only 11% of employees said their employer provided health advice about alcohol consumption.

With this in mind Blake went on to say: “Sensible advice and guidance on attitudes towards alcohol and sensible drinking, ranging from workshops to intranet resources, for example, can go a long way to foster a responsible workforce culture.”