7 Ways to Change Drinking Culture in the Workplace
Drinking alcohol has been a part of workplace culture for many, many years. From toasting successes and after-work drinks to working on client relationships during boozy meals, it can be hard to get away from alcohol at work.
But, since the pandemic, work from home and the influx of a younger generation of workers in the workplace, this culture is beginning to change. So here are seven ways that employers and employees alike can work to change the workplace drinking culture.
Why Change Drinking Culture in the Workplace?
But first of all, why bother trying to change the drinking culture in the workplace? Well, there are numerous reasons why having a strong culture of drinking alcohol in the workplace can be negative for the employees and the company at large. Some of those reasons include:
Pressure to drink alcohol at work can make it hard to feel comfortable in the workplace.
This culture excludes those who cannot or do not drink alcohol.
It encourages unhealthy coping mechanisms to stress.
Workplaces with a more dominant alcohol culture statistically have more cases of workplace harassment.
Productivity at work is lower.
So in order to establish a healthier, happier workplace, that therefore is more productive, it is only logical to start trying to address the drinking culture in the workplace. This doesn’t mean fully banning alcohol but means being more aware of the effects of alcohol.
Ways You Can Start to Change the Drinking Culture of a Workplace
So if you are looking to change the workplace drinking culture then here are seven things you can start doing.
1. Establish Healthy Norms and Rules
One of the most important changes to be made when trying to address the drinking culture in a workplace is to establish healthy norms and rules around alcohol. This can be anything from only allowing access to the beer fridge at certain times, adding alcohol-free beer to the fridge, or having rules about when people can drink.
These changes will occur more naturally if those in leadership roles lead by example. That means having a clear stance on alcohol in the workplace, understanding your personal relationship to alcohol and noticing the effects that alcohol has in the workplace.
By promoting both the benefits of maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol and allowing the ability to easily be alcohol-free at work, you will create healthier norms around workplace drinking.
2. Consider Non-Drinkers When Planning Events or Socials
Want to show people that they can bond with each other without the need for alcohol? Then try organising an alcohol-free social event. There are so many different options for alcohol-free events and activities. You could organise a Friday night yoga class to de-stress from the week, try go-karting, go to the theatre, or do an escape room. The options are endless.
Not every event that you organise in a workplace needs to be alcohol-free. But it is important that non-drinkers are considered when planning anything. So if you do intend to hold a social in the bar, make it a bar that offers a range of interesting alcohol-free drinks. Suggest somewhere that also gives you something to do other than sit around and drink, such as table football or pool.
3. Avoid Pressuring People to Drink
A survey of 2000 people in the UK found that 53% would like there to be less pressure to drink when socialising with work colleagues. This shows that there is a strong pressure to drink in the workplace. Most people who do not drink regularly can probably remember a time when they were strongly pressured into drinking. And this can make people feel very uncomfortable, or drink when they do not want to.
In order to avoid this, it is important to allow people the freedom not to drink. Try not to pressure colleagues into taking a drink, accept no as an answer, and do not delve into the reasons. No one needs to give you a reason why they are not drinking. By respecting people’s decision not to drink you show them that there is no pressure to drink and create a more welcoming environment for all.
4. Lower Stress in the Environment
One of the big reasons that people choose to drink alcohol is to deal with stress. A lot of the time this is stress caused by the workplace. As somebody in a leadership position one of the best ways to create a healthier workplace drink culture is through lowering stress in the workplace.
Of course, some level of stress is bound to occur, but things such as unrealistic deadlines, poor communication and lack of affirmation from employers can cause stress in employees. Remember, the less stressful the workplace environment, the healthier the workplace drinking culture will be, and in turn the more productive a workplace will be.
5, Organise an Alcohol-Free Month Challenge at Work
Alcohol-Free months such as “Dry January” or “Sober October” are a great way for people to reflect on their relationship with alcohol. If you want to encourage a healthier workplace drinking culture why not organise a workplace-wide sober month challenge?
Doing sober challenges as a group is one of the most rewarding ways to do so, and it can help both the individuals and the workplace reflect on the role that alcohol plays in the workplace culture.
6. Gift Alcohol-Free to Employees
Whether it's a champagne bottle left on someone’s desk or a craft beer hamper at Christmas, alcohol is often used as a go-to gift to show appreciation to colleagues and employees. But this can be an uncomfortable gift to receive if you do not drink alcohol. It also helps to promote alcohol within the workplace.
To change the workplace drinking culture it is better to avoid gifting alcohol and instead try gifting alcohol-free. This can mean anything from a Starbucks gift card, to flowers, or to alcohol-free drink hampers. This can help employees and colleagues feel appreciated even when they don’t drink alcohol.
Get in Contact with JOMO for Alcohol-Free Corporate Opportunities
Want to change your workplace drinking culture? Then JOMO has some exciting alcohol-free opportunities for you and your company.
To bond with your colleagues without the use of alcohol JOMO offers an alcohol-free mindful cocktail class. This lets you and your whole team come together, learn how to make delicious alcohol-free drinks, and bond as a team without alcohol.
JOMO also offers alcohol-free cocktail boxes that you can use to gift to clients, and employees, or mark milestones, celebrations or promotions. Just get in touch and we can make the perfect, personalised alcohol-free cocktail hamper for you.
For weekly meetings or regular team days, JOMO delivers alcohol-free boxes so that the non-drinkers in your team can enjoy delicious drinks too!
Just get in touch with us at JOMO to start including alcohol-free options in your workplace, and help create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.