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Workplace Drinking Linked to Productivity Loss, Says IPPR

10/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) links productivity to workplace drinking.
Nearly one-third of workers take sick days after drinking events.
Twenty-one percent work hungover and 29% see colleagues fatigued after drinking.
Young workers aged 18–24 are most affected, with 43% calling in sick.
IPPR also recommends reinstating the alcohol duty escalator and standardizing duty rates based on alcohol content.

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Story summary

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) links productivity to workplace drinking.
Nearly one-third of workers take sick days after drinking events.
Twenty-one percent work hungover and 29% see colleagues fatigued after drinking.
Young workers aged 18–24 are most affected, with 43% calling in sick.
IPPR also recommends reinstating the alcohol duty escalator and standardizing duty rates based on alcohol content.