Half a million people hungover at work each day

Every day more than half a million people in the UK go to work with a hangover, according to new research. And with the World Cup set to kick off next month, this figure is expected to soar.

A survey of more than 1,000 workers by charity Drinkaware, found that 17 per cent of us admitted to struggling with their workload and making mistakes at work due to the effects of a hangover.

In addition, nearly one in 10 people with a hangover said they had left work early because they felt too ill to carry on.

The average person turns up to work suffering from the effects of alcohol three times a month, the survey found, and the charity predicts that the World Cup will have a directt impact on workplace productivity up and down the country.

The survey also revealed what a bunch of hypocrites we can be when it comes to alcohol. Despite nine out of ten people saying they thought a hangover at work was unacceptable, two thirds admitted they had joked about having a hangover with their colleague or boss.

Chris Sorek, CEO of Drinkaware, said: “Having a hangover at work doesn’t just affect the person who has drunk to excess.

"With hundreds of thousands of people going to work every day after a heavy night, it impacts work productivity and even results in employees going home sick.

“An international sporting event like the World Cup will inevitably capture the attention of the nation and is a great time for people to come together, but hangovers at work are likely to increase."

The charity said it had joined forces with private healthcare provider Bupa to offer advice to employers on how to manage alcohol in the workplace.

Dr Katrina Herren, Medical Director of BUPA said: “As an employer, it is important not to ignore the effects of alcohol on employees or the adverse effects it can have on the workplace environment.

"Employees should also be aware that if someone is regularly coming into work with a hangover this could be a sign of wider alcohol or mental health problems.”

This article was published on Wed 26 May 2010