Is this last orders for the post-work drink?

The traditional post-work drink may be falling from favour as a shift in attitudes and working culture means people increasingly prefer daytime social gatherings, a new poll claims. Employers are being encouraged to move away from pub outings as a means of socialising, instead fostering “inclusive and healthy workplace cultures” that cater to employees who don’t drink alcohol or work remotely. As four different generations now share the workplace, new expectations around employee health and wellbeing are emerging, according to the survey commissioned by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD).

The study, conducted by the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, suggests that 73 percent of senior business leaders are managing a workforce that spans four generations, each with different expectations about health and wellbeing. Despite this, 81 percent of employers lack guidance on organising inclusive social events, and 79 percent do not have policies addressing responsible alcohol consumption.

As flexible forms of work becomes more common, employers are encouraged to move away from alcohol-centred socialising and adopt more inclusive and healthy workplace cultures. The report outlines several recommendations, including rebranding events from “drinks” to “socialising,” offering non-alcoholic beverages, and scheduling gatherings during work hours to accommodate employees with various responsibilities.

Julian Braithwaite, CEO and President of IARD, emphasized the need for modern workplace policies, noting that the post-pandemic workplace is more diverse, multigenerational, and flexible than ever before. He urged employers to develop guidelines that support both those who choose to drink at work events and those who do not.

Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, pointed out that while many employers recognize the benefits of a multigenerational workforce, few have implemented age-friendly policies. He stressed the importance of adopting long-term strategies that prioritize employee health and wellbeing.

To assist employers, IARD has introduced resources aimed at helping organisations develop alcohol workplace policies. These tools are designed to inspire action where no policies exist and support managers in handling alcohol-related issues sensitively.

The report is based on a survey of 1,167 senior business leaders across Great Britain and insights from a roundtable that included experts from various international organisations.