Cost of a heavy drinker is felt at home, work, and on street

Alcohol has become a hazard to health and productivity in the workplace with a study showing one in seven workers suffered in the past year because of a colleague’s drinking.

The chief difficulties for workers were having their own work disrupted, having to take on extra work to cover for the problem drinker, or having had an accident or a close call because of that drinker.

One in 10 having difficulties because of a drinking colleague reported having to take days off work due to the situation. Reports of problems in the workplace were highest among young men.