MEPMIS

Alcohol and the Workplace

The place of alcohol in society and the attitudes that surround it have changed considerably over the course of history. There are few examples in which this change is as apparent as in the relationship between alcohol and the workplace. Once quite commonplace in the work environment, alcohol has increasingly shifted into the domain of leisure. As the professional and skill levels required in a more complex workplace have grown, it has become apparent that the consumption of alcohol in certain venues may not be appropriate. The effects of alcohol on performance have been extensively documented.1 Under certain circumstances and for certain professions, the risks associated with drinking and the workplace may have serious consequences and potentially affect a large number of people beyond the drinker.