“Just A Small Glass, I’m Working From Home”

A recent study has found that 9 out of 10 people have admitted to drinking alcohol while working from home.

These figures are alarmingly high and a cause for concern when it comes to health & safety. It is believed that remote working has provided newfound freedoms that would not be tolerated in the workplace, leading to the employees taking a lax approach to the rules.

The finding reinforces the importance of having a clear and concise home working policy in place to enforce the accepted behaviours while reiterating the duty to protect their health and safety during working time. While it can be difficult to monitor work from afar, there are some things that you can do to eradicate an ever-growing problem.

Setting regular hours is the key – this enables employers and employees to implement clear boundaries between working time and personal time. You could also reissue your existing policies relating to the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs that remain in force even while the employee is not physically present in the workplace. If you want to opt for the direct approach, you could implement substance testing consistently for employees by way of home testing kits etc., hopefully acting as a suitable deterrent for a liquid lunch.

Lastly, keep your communication channels open and offer support so that employees feel comfortable to come forward about any concerns they may have – this is particularly prevalent from a well-being perspective for those who may be consuming more alcohol than usual.

If you need advice on this matter, speak to one of our Business Employment Solicitors on 0800 088 6004.