Fostering wellbeing | Could 'Sober October' make your workplace more inclusive?

The traditional image of Friday work drinks, or a festive liquid lunch at the local pub is deeply intertwined with the social norms of working life. However, one of the most notable shifts in recent years is the shifting relationship between employees and alcohol.

Sober October, a global initiative that encourages people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days, offers organisations a unique opportunity to foster a more inclusive and health-conscious work environment.

Sober October originated in the UK as a fundraising initiative for Macmillan Cancer Support. Over the years, it has grown into a worldwide movement, with participants choosing to go alcohol-free for various reasons, including raising awareness of alcohol-related diseases and revaluating their relationship with drinking.

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Sober October | 34% of employees avoid work socials because of alcohol - is there an alternative?

A study from BMC Public Health has shown that drinking among young people is on the decline, and sales of no- and low-alcohol beverages have surged, indicating a shift in societal attitudes toward alcohol, which will no doubt permeate working culture, regardless of social norms around ‘work drinks’ persist.