Festivals, Footie and Fatal Errors, The Workplace Risks of Summer Drinking.

With the UK basking in long stretches of sunshine, beer gardens overflowing, Wimbledon captivating fans, the Women’s Euros stirring national pride, and festival season in full swing, it’s fair to say the mood across the country is a lively one. People are making the most of the weather and the events, but with that celebration comes a quieter concern.

As social drinking ramps up, so too does its impact on the workplace. Behind the pints and party tents lies a growing issue, how excessive or casual alcohol consumption is affecting employee safety, performance, and wellbeing at work.

When a Night Out Becomes a Problem the Next Day

Most people don’t drink heavily every day, but special occasions can often lead to overdoing it. When the celebrations spill over into a workday, the consequences follow. Hangovers, once brushed off as part of a good night out, can mean reduced focus, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making.

For some, this results in presenteeism, physically turning up to work but mentally not fit to perform. For others, it leads to last-minute absences and sick days. These aren’t isolated personal issues, they have ripple effects across teams, departments, and entire businesses.

Alcohol in the Workplace: The Hard Facts

According to the Institute of Alcohol Studies, the UK loses between 11 and 17 million working days each year due to alcohol-related sickness. That’s a direct cost to employers of up to £1.8 billion annually (ias.org.uk).

Drinkaware further estimates that hangover-related absence and reduced productivity cost the wider UK economy a staggering £4 billion a year (drinkaware.co.uk).

Even more concerning is the daily impact. Research from the British Safety Council reveals that around 200,000 people turn up to work hungover each day, and nearly a third of employees admit to doing so at least once in the past month (britsafe.org).

Beyond performance, safety is at stake. Alcohol plays a role in up to 40% of industrial incidents and 30% of all workplace accidents, according to data cited by the HR Centre and British Safety Council. In some sectors, it’s estimated that up to half of all workplace fatalities involve alcohol in some way.

A Culture Shaped by Celebration and Risk

The summer calendar of sporting events, festivals, and outdoor get-togethers creates an atmosphere where drinking feels not just accepted, but expected. While that’s fine in moderation, it quickly becomes risky in professional settings.

Certain groups are more vulnerable, particularly shift workers and those under pressure. Alcohol Change UK reports that 27% of people drink to manage workplace stress, and nearly two-thirds of professionals say their drinking is influenced by work-related factors such as peer pressure and company culture (alcoholchange.org.uk).

Workplace norms also play a role. After work drinks, pub lunches, and social events often centre around alcohol. And with remote and hybrid working blurring the lines between work and home, it’s now easier than ever for drinking to seep into the workday, subtly increasing the risk of impaired performance.

A Smarter Approach: Support First, Not Sack First

So, how should employers tackle this? At First Cohort, we take a different approach. One that goes beyond simply catching people out. We call it Better Testing, a smarter, more supportive way to manage substance misuse in the workplace.

Our drug and alcohol testing for the workplace programs, combined with robust training programmes and rehabilitation-focused support, help businesses develop clear, fair policies that focus on education, accountability, and recovery. Not punishment.

We also create environments where employees feel safe asking for help. When people aren’t afraid of immediate dismissal, they’re far more likely to come forward early. That protects them, their colleagues, and the wider business, from both harm and reputation damage.

A Timely Message for Employers

Summer brings with it celebration and that’s something to be embraced. But businesses must also stay alert to the knock-on effects that alcohol can have in the workplace. Now is the ideal time to take a fresh look at your approach.

With the right support, better testing policies, and targeted training, organisations can stay productive, safe, and supportive all year round.

At First Cohort (www.firstcohort.co.uk), we specialise in workplace drug and alcohol testing, substance misuse training, and ongoing workplace support. Whether you’re looking to reduce risk, update your policy, or provide practical help to your team, we’re here to make it easier.

Because the future of workplace testing isn’t about punishment.

It’s about Better Testing.