The Cost of Hangovers
Most alcohol-related sick leave appears to be taken by low-risk or infrequent drinkers, rather than problem drinkers, according to new research.
Dr Kenneth Pidd, Senior Research Officer at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University, and colleagues analysed data collected as part of the 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to estimate the extent and cost of alcohol-related absenteeism in the Australian workforce.
The results, published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, show that a large portion of alcohol-related absenteeism is due to hangovers, which are more common for light to moderate drinkers.
The survey estimated 2,682,865 workdays were lost in 2001 due to alcohol, at a total cost of $473 million.
Costs were calculated based on one day's wage - according to an average weekly income in 2001 - plus 20 percent employer on-costs.
"These estimates are about 12 to 34 times greater than previous estimates based on national data," says Dr Pidd.
"Low-risk drinkers and infrequent or occasionally risky and high-risk drinkers accounted for 49-66 per cent of alcohol-related absenteeism.
"Traditionally, workplace interventions have focused on employees who drink heavily or have been identified as 'problem drinkers'.
"Although these employees are of concern, our results demonstrate that the much larger number of low-risk drinkers and those who drink at risky or high-risk levels relatively infrequently also need to be considered.
"The results highlight the need to take a 'whole-of-workplace' approach when designing and implementing alcohol-related intervention strategies."
The original journal article can be accessed at www.mja.com.au
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.