Last Updated on July 14, 2023

Most alcohol-related workplace issues aren’t because of heavy drinkers. As it turns out, any sort of drinking can affect work performance. 

For example, most of us don’t think about how just one drink can reduce our ability to make decisions, concentrate, or react quickly. We also don’t always keep track of how many we’ve had or how long it stays in our system. And depending on the type of work we’re doing, a drink or two can dramatically affect how well we work.

Plus, don’t forget about how weekend binge drinking or after-work drinks can lead to next-day hangovers and sleep deprivation, further affecting work performance. 

That’s why it’s so important to think about the type of culture you want to create in your workplace. Do people feel pressured to go out for after-work drinks to feel a part of the team? Is everyone so stressed that they feel they need a drink to wind down? 

Because in the end, the amount of alcohol people drink, whether at work or at home, can affect the workplace. 

So read on to learn the strategies you can implement to create a long-lasting healthy work environment that boosts everyone’s well-being. 

How Drinking Affects The Workplace

Drinking after work to wind down, whether alone or with colleagues, is common — especially if you had a hard day. We don’t always have the recommended one a day, or a maximum of two for men, either. 

For example, about 1 in 4 adults binge drank within the last month. That’s at least 4 drinks for women and 5 for men on one occasion. And if you’re just trying to wind down after a stressful day at work or you’re out with colleagues for drinks, that’s easy to do. 

While it might seem harmless, regular drinking can affect the workplace and create issues such as:

• Loss of productivity: Missed deadlines, careless mistakes, incomplete assignments
• Increased absenteeism: Missed days due to hangovers or continued drinking
• Additional healthcare: Short and long-term health issues related to alcohol use
• Relationship issues: Problems with colleagues, mood and behavior changes
• Workplace injuries: Increase in accidents

Even weekend drinking can lead to sleep deprivation and an extra hard Monday morning. Then, there are hangovers, which can happen from just one or two drinks. They can easily lead to exhaustion, stomach issues, headaches, and even anxiety and depression. Naturally, that’s going to affect work performance and how employees interact with customers and each other.

The Impact of Promoting Mindful Drinking At Work

Mindful drinking isn’t about forcing harsh restrictions on how much you drink. Instead, it increases awareness in every area of your life and helps you understand yourself and your habits better. 

By promoting mindful drinking at the workplace, you can encourage yourself and others to become more aware of emotions, reactions, and responses. This can naturally help people become more in tune with their needs and develop healthier coping tools. 

After all, we all know how hard managing a work-life balance can be, along with the stress of work itself. But by becoming more mindful, we can better decide how to respond to that stress. That can lead to less drinking, along with: 

• Improved well-being
• Increased productivity 
• Open-minded work culture
• Fewer alcohol-related incidents
• Improved workplace relationships with mindful and open communication 

Strategies for Small Businesses

There are some simple first steps you can take toward encouraging mindful living at the workplace, such as:

1. Promote Education and Awareness

The first step to encouraging mindful drinking in the workplace is to spread awareness and information on the topic. People need to feel comfortable talking about it openly, and that can start with workshops or training sessions (but fun ones). 

Think about inviting guest speakers or experts with interesting stories who can create a safe space for open communication. You could also focus on the health effects of alcohol through workshops by bringing doctors in to speak, along with offering free health examinations and blood analysis. 

Sharing resources for interested employees to dive in deeper, such as through the Sunnyside app and blog, also allows people to learn privately, wherever they feel most comfortable. 

2. Create a Supportive Environment

The way people talk about alcohol matters. If there’s any shame surrounding drinking (or not drinking), people probably won’t want to talk openly about their relationship with alcohol at the workplace. 

Try encouraging open conversations, allowing people to share stories, without judgment. Consider implementing flexible policies around alcohol consumption and encourage mental health support through therapy, support groups, mindful apps, and workshops. 

3. Provide Drinking Alternatives 

If employees typically grab drinks together or office parties are the norm, think about ways you can promote non-alcoholic drinks. That could mean stocking the office pantry with more options, like sparkling water, or alcohol-free mocktails and beers. 

For social events, add fun alternatives that get people excited. You can also think about hiring a catering service or bartender who can make delicious mocktails. And of course, plenty of yummy food and infused water to keep everyone well-fed and hydrated. 

4. Lead by Example

Whether you’re part of management or just trying to encourage mindful drinking in the workplace, leading by example might help get people’s attention. You can also encourage leaders to demonstrate mindful habits and make suggestions to improve workplace drinking. 

Sharing success stories of employees and rewarding their efforts can also go a long way to boosting morale. 

5. Create Mindful Challenges

A healthy workplace challenge can bring people together and improve overall well-being and productivity. Try asking your employees what the biggest issues they’re facing are and together, you can create a health challenge. 

This could be a multi-faceted approach that includes the employer offering to provide:

• A psychologist
• Meditation teachers
• Healthy cooking workshops
• Gym or yoga memberships
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs
• Mindful drinking apps

Finally, let employees have a say on rewards and what would keep them motivated. Then, the manager could decide on what’s reasonable (maybe extra vacation time?) and initiate the challenge. 

How Sunnyside Helps Small Businesses

Sunnyside helps employees stay aware of their emotions and behaviors while at work and at home. With 24/7 access from their phones, employees can get:

• Personalized plans, challenges, and goals
• A community of support, even after work hours
• A push for consistency with regular notifications and reminders
• Mindful drinking resources, educational materials, and new weekly articles
• Awareness and accountability around the clock, with tracking and monitoring 

So feel free to send out a work memo, email, or newsletter, with the first step toward a mindful drinking workplace — encouraging people to take the 3-minute quiz.