Lost productivity and absenteeism because of alcohol is "costing the economy billions", the charity Alcohol Concern said today (February 2nd).Alcohol Concern said that it has written to the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills Vince Cable requesting that the government compels listed companies to include alcohol policy as part of the Corporate Governance Code.
The charity says that alcohol costs 14 million working days and up to £6.4 billion every year.
Around ten million men and women in England drink above the recommended guidelines and, as a result, each day around 200,000 people go to work in the UK with a hangover.
For companies where workers drive vehicles or operate machinery, any accidents that are caused by alcohol abuse could have serious implications in relation to its commercial insurance policy.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Eric Appleby said: "Companies simply have to address attitudes to alcohol and drinking behaviours - it is costing the economy billions every year."
