With four different generations working together in the workplace, new expectations regarding employee health and wellbeing have emerged according to a new report commissioned by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking* (IARD).
The in-depth study by the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, a leading think tank on improving lives in the workplace, found three-quarters (73%) of senior business leaders were experiencing more generations in their workforce than in the past as populations age and working lives are extended.
With hybrid working gaining prevalence, when asked about policies around socialising at work, more than one in three employers (34%) agreed opportunities for socialising were important.
However, 81% of employers do not have guidance in place on inclusive events and four in five (79%) do not have policies on responsible alcohol consumption in the workplace. These policies have specific resonance for the thousands of businesses including cafes, restaurant, bars and retailers. In addition, alcohol can often be present as part of business dinners, networking events and engagements.
The Work Foundation report was informed by a Survation survey of 1,167 senior business leaders across Great Britain (May 2024) and a global roundtable co-hosted by IARD included contributions from the International Labour Organisation at the UN, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the conciliation service ACAS and experts from the US, Africa and Latin America.
The report makes clear recommendations to employers on how to create inclusive and positive workplace cultures:
Event labelling – change the description of events away from ‘drinks’ to ‘socialising’
Alternative drinks – provide non-alcohol drinks alongside alcohol drinks
Alternative events and event timings – host morning, lunch or afternoon gatherings to include those with caring responsibilities
Dietary requirements – ask about preferences for non-alcoholic drinks
Training – provide resources and tools to support effective alcohol in the workplace policies
Julian Braithwaite, CEO and President of IARD, said: “The workplace has never been more diverse, multigenerational, or flexible. Post-pandemic, employers have been looking to find new ways to promote in-person collaboration and teambuilding including through social events. Today we’re releasing materials that build on best practice from our own member companies to support managers to develop modern alcohol in the workplace policies, including guidance for those who choose to drink at work events and supporting choice for those who do not”.
Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University said: “For the first time in history there are now four generations in the workplace together – with those born in the 1960s and 70s working alongside those born in the 2000s.
“Our study shows that employers recognise the benefits of this increasingly multigenerational workforce, but many are not putting in place age-friendly policies and support mechanisms to support an inclusive and productive workplace culture. In particular, relatively few have put policies in place on issues like menopause support or guidance on alcohol and socialising. Employers need to respond to new expectations that prioritise health and wellbeing by introducing longer term workforce planning and implementing age inclusive policies within their organisation.”
To help support inclusive work cultures that take account of the diverse needs and preferences of employees across multiple generations, IARD has launched resources that are intended to inspire organizations to develop alcohol workplace policies and give their line managers tools to recognize signs of alcohol misuse and manage situations sensitively and effectively.
These materials are not intended to replace polices that may already exist but instead to provide inspiration where nothing might be in place. Polices will differ depending on the organization and nature of its business as well as local, national and regional context.
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