Rose Mabiza

07-06-2023

Alcohol Awareness 2025: Why “Alcohol and Work” Matters Now

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Understand why alcohol and work deserve urgent attention, learn the hidden costs of misuse, and get actionable insights to create a supportive, compliant culture

Alcohol has long been woven into the fabric of modern life - celebrations, milestones, after-work drinks, and even informal team building often revolve around it. Yet, when we take a step back, it becomes clear that our relationship with alcohol doesn’t always serve us well, especially in professional environments.

Alcohol Awareness Week 2025, running from 7-13 July 2025, arrives as a timely reminder of this reality. This national campaign, led by Alcohol Change UK, shines a spotlight on a theme many organisations have been reluctant to explore openly: “Alcohol and Work.”

At its heart, this year’s campaign is an invitation to understand how alcohol affects us on the job, to dismantle stigma, and to create workplaces that value wellbeing as much as performance.

What is Alcohol Awareness Week?

Alcohol awareness week is an annual UK-wide initiative aimed at increasing understanding of alcohol-related harm and encouraging individuals and organisations to take positive action. Traditionally held in November, the campaign has shifted to July in recent years to make it easier for employers, schools, and community organisations to get involved before the summer holiday period.

In 2025, Alcohol awareness week will take place from 7 to 13 July, with the theme “Alcohol and Work.” This focus will resonate particularly with regulated sectors such as healthcare, social care, education, finance, and public services - fields where safety, performance, and compliance are paramount.

Defining alcohol harm in the workplace

When we talk about alcohol harm in the workplace, what exactly does that mean?

Alcohol harm encompasses a range of issues, including:

• Presenteeism - When employees are physically present but unable to perform effectively because of hangovers, fatigue, or withdrawal.
• Absenteeism - Increased sick days linked to drinking, including illness and injury.
• Accidents and errors - Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and increases the likelihood of mistakes, especially dangerous in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, or construction.
• Mental health challenges - Alcohol misuse often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Cultural pressures - A workplace culture that normalises or encourages drinking can lead to unhealthy habits and isolation for those who choose not to participate.

It is essential to understand that alcohol-related harm isn’t only about dependency. Even moderate levels of drinking can have cumulative effects that damage health, relationships, and performance over time.

Why focus on “Alcohol and Work” now?

Several factors have made this theme especially urgent in 2025:

• Post-pandemic shifts in drinking habits - Research by Alcohol Change UK shows that many people began drinking more heavily during lockdowns, with some of those patterns persisting today.
• Blurring of work and personal life - The rise of hybrid and remote working has blurred boundaries. For some, that has meant drinking earlier or more often during working hours.
• Hidden costs to organisations - Estimates suggest alcohol-related absenteeism costs the UK economy more than £7 billion every year. In regulated sectors, the stakes are even higher - errors can lead to regulatory breaches, reputational damage, or harm to the public.
• Evolving workplace expectations - Employees increasingly expect their employers to take a proactive stance on wellbeing, mental health, and inclusion. Addressing alcohol harm is an essential part of that commitment.

Practical implications for regulated organisations

If you work in a highly regulated sector, the implications of alcohol harm extend beyond individual wellbeing - they can directly impact your compliance obligations.

Here are a few examples of how alcohol misuse can affect regulated environments:

• Healthcare and social care - Under Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, providers must demonstrate robust governance and safe, effective care. If staff are impaired, patient safety is at risk, which could potentially trigger enforcement action.
• Education - OFSTED expects clear safeguarding measures to be in place. A culture that tolerates or overlooks alcohol misuse can undermine trust and compromise safeguarding duties.
• Finance and regulated industries - Errors due to alcohol impairment can breach professional standards and lead to regulatory sanctions.

This is why the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is clear: employers have a duty of care to protect staff and the public from foreseeable harm, including risks associated with alcohol.

Building a supportive workplace culture

Addressing alcohol and work is not about policing employees or imposing blanket bans. Instead, it is about creating environments where people feel safe to be honest about their wellbeing and empowered to make healthier choices.

Here are practical steps regulated organisations can take during Alcohol Awareness Week 2025 (7-13 July) and beyond:

1. Review and update policies

Make sure your drug and alcohol policy is transparent, fair, and aligned with current best practice. It should include:

• Clear expectations around alcohol use
• Procedures for supporting staff who disclose concerns
• Information on accessing help confidentially
• A focus on early intervention over punishment.

2. Raise awareness

Alcohol awareness week is the perfect opportunity to start conversations. Use posters, newsletters, webinars, and internal communications to share information about:

• The impact of alcohol on health and work
• How to spot early signs of alcohol-related issues
• Where to find confidential support.

3. Train managers

Equip your leaders with the skills to have supportive, non-judgmental conversations. Many managers feel unprepared to address alcohol concerns sensitively - training helps them feel more confident.

4. Promote wellbeing

Creating a culture that supports mental health and resilience reduces the likelihood that people will turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. This might include:

• Employee assistance programmes
• Wellbeing champions
• Flexible working policies
• Mindfulness and stress reduction resources.

5. Lead by example

Senior leaders set the tone. If managers and directors model responsible drinking or choose not to drink at work events, it creates permission for others to do the same.

Challenging myths and reducing stigma

One of the most significant barriers to change is stigma. Many people fear that admitting they are struggling will damage their careers or relationships. That fear keeps problems hidden until they escalate out of control.

By normalising conversations about alcohol during Alcohol Awareness Week 2025 (7-13 July) and beyond, we can help dismantle that stigma. Alcohol awareness week reminds us that:

• Alcohol harm is common and treatable.
• Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Employers have a vital role in creating cultures of safety and care.

When organisations take a compassionate, proactive approach, everyone benefits - productivity improves, compliance risks diminish, and teams become stronger.

Your next steps - Build Awareness and empower change

Alcohol Awareness Week 2025 is more than a date on the calendar. It is an opportunity for every organisation to reflect, learn, and act.

As you consider how your workplace will respond, ask yourself:

• Are our policies fit for purpose?
• Do our leaders have the confidence to have supportive conversations?
• Are our teams empowered to make healthy choices?

At The Mandatory Training Group, awareness is the first step to lasting change. We support organisations with training, policy development, and tools like ComplyPlus™ to embed compliance and wellbeing into everyday practice.

Together, let’s create safer, healthier workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Last updated on 07-07-2025

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