With the passage of time, alcohol has become more popular around the world. It has even become an element in work environments in the form of celebration and socialising.
Having a drink or two while or after work both have its benefits and drawbacks. However, it is still an important and interesting part of the modern lifestyle. Here are some facts about alcohol in workplaces which you may have not heard of before.
1. Helps to Bond with Co-Workers
There is a lot of interesting information about the culture of drinking. It can be difficult to break the ice with your co-workers at work, which might lead you to become isolated. Interestingly, a way to bond with them is to simply have a drink with them.
Alcohol helps people loosen up and be more spontaneous. This will help keep your anxieties at bay and approach friendships more confidently. A simple beer after work can help you create new relationships, which in turn will help you have better communication with them in your workplace.
2. Boosts Creativity
As mentioned before, alcohol helps you to be more confident and reduces anxiety. In short, people think through things less, and this has its own set of benefits. Alcohol is a great addition to workplaces, where workers’ creativity is important to get the job done.
As drinking alcohol can reduce overthinking and boosts confidence, it leads employees to come up with ideas they may have never considered before. Even if the ideas might be poorly thought out, it can spark conversations that lead to game-changing ideas for your company.
3. Poor Decisions
As previously mentioned, drinking alcohol makes people think less, and though it has its benefits, it has its drawbacks too. As drinking creates poor judgment skills, workers are likely to act on poorly thought-out ideas as well.
A common example of such a scenario is misconduct with coworkers which could affect the company’s reputation. Some examples which might affect businesses directly are poorly thought-out business decisions and spending company funds unwisely while under the influence.
4. It Can Help Stress-Management
A can of beer or a glass of wine can help you let a bit of the stress go. Having a fridge or bar that provides alcoholic beverages is one of the best solutions, almost a necessity, in high-stress environments.
In workplaces where employees are on the verge of a breakdown most of the time, or if they are very nervous before a big meeting or event, a drink or two can help calm them down and regain their confidence.
5. It Can Harm You and Others
If you drink too much, you could cause injuries to yourself and others. Drinking alcohol can affect your coordination which means, you will not be able to drive or walk properly. After having several drinks at work, you could cause accidents that get both you and your co-workers hurt.
A more common example is getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks at work. At this time, you will be more likely to become involved in car accidents and reckless driving. Furthermore, driving under the influence can cause fatal accidents.
6. Impacts Punctuality and Attention
If you are drinking the night before, it is more than likely that you will call in sick the next morning due to a hangover. Even if you do not call in sick, it is possible that you will turn up to work late, and you will also not be in prime working condition.
Moreover, drinking to the point of blacking out will lead to uncontrollable behaviour. Even if this is not the case, drinking can also make you sleepier, and your boss might find you sleeping on your desk.
Additionally, alcohol will prevent you from using your analytical skills to their fullest extent as it can make you more short-sighted.
7. Best Way to Celebrate
Clinking glasses to a company’s newest success is a great way to celebrate achievements. This occasion will help employees feel a sense of achievement, and they will become even more motivated to work harder. Furthermore, it will instill a sense of belonging in them.
8. Encourages Employees to Work Harder
As previously mentioned, providing alcoholic drinks in the workplace can make workers feel a sense of accomplishment. Receiving this perk will also make them feel more valued as workers, and they will further feel like they belong to the team.
This will help them take their responsibilities personally and encourage them to work harder. Moreover, it could also lead to more loyal employees.
9. It Can Influence Employee Recruitment
Many applicants for jobs might be applying because they are drawn to the lenient alcohol policies at work. Furthermore, applicants are also more likely to be more progressive and open. Therefore, offering alcohol at work is not a bad idea because it helps companies attract the right kind of people for the company.
10. It Can Be the Catalyst for Alcoholism
Workplaces that have easy access to alcohol can introduce many people to a lifestyle where alcoholic beverages are consumed regularly. People who are prone to developing addictions can easily become addicted to alcohol and could thus, start off their paths as alcoholics.
On the other hand, if you are a recovering alcoholic in the workforce, it might become even more difficult to cope with the job as you would be exposed to alcohol. In the worst-case scenario, it could either lead to you quitting the job or even relapsing.
Conclusion
Drinking at work has both its advantages and disadvantages. However, a key point to note is that what matters most is how responsibly you drink. Rules could also be implemented to make sure workers are drinking in moderation, such as setting a limit to alcohol consumption or punishing drunken behavior.
It is also important to remember that the workforce will consist of a diverse set of people, so it is wise to not pressure others to drink and to also help advise people to drink in moderation. All in all, including alcohol in the workplace can be the perfect addition for companies that need creative workers in high-stress environments.