Alcohol Awareness Week | How HR can better support employees with alcohol issues

With Alcohol Awareness Week shining a spotlight on the UK's relationship with drinking, HR leaders are being urged to look beyond awareness campaigns and examine how their workplaces support employees struggling with alcohol misuse, while also creating a culture that doesn't revolve around drinking.

For many organisations, alcohol is woven into workplace culture, from Friday drinks to client entertaining and Christmas parties. Yet changing attitudes towards drinking, combined with growing awareness of addiction and mental health, are prompting experts to argue that employers need a more balanced approach.

That means not only recognising when someone may need support, but also ensuring workplace culture doesn't inadvertently exclude employees who choose not to drink or are trying to cut back.

Recognising when support is needed

While recent YouGov research suggests around a third of British adults are drinking less alcohol than a year ago, 8% say they are drinking more, highlighting that problematic drinking remains a concern for some.