Christmas parties could cost British businesses up to £110 million this year because of employees’ hangovers, a new survey reveals today.
Christmas parties could cost British businesses up to Ł110 million this year because of employees’ hangovers, a new survey reveals today.
Independent research by Norwich Union Healthcare shows that two million workers will take time off from work because they’ve over indulged in food and drink during the Christmas party season.
But the overall cost to the nation in employee absence during this year’s Christmas party season is down on last year by more than Ł10 million.
The research findings reveal that the current economic climate could be having an effect on people’s partying habits – over half of employees are only attending one Christmas party this year. In 2000, the average employee went to two or more work-related Christmas celebrations.
The study also shows that men drink twice as much as women at Christmas parties – with the average male consuming 11 units of alcohol (equal to five pints or 11 glasses of wine) compared to women’s five units (five glasses of wine).
The daily recommended intake is three units of alcohol for women and four units for men.
Norwich Union Healthcare’s ‘Hangover Bill’ study also shows:
- One quarter of working Britons drink between 11 and 20 units of alcohol at Christmas parties
- A fifth of all party-goers will take more than three days off work due to over indulgence in food or drink at a Christmas party
- Employees in London and the South-East take the most time off work due to hangovers, followed by people in the North. Less than two per cent of employees in the Midlands ever take time off because of over-indulgence
- Three times as many 16-34 year olds have taken time off compared to 35-54 year olds because they have not moderated their intake of food or drink
Dr Doug Wright, clinical development manager at Norwich Union Healthcare, said: “Christmas is one of Britain’s most unhealthy times of year. With statistics like this it is not surprising there are so many people taking time off work because they have a hangover. On average British office workers are drinking three times the recommended daily intake of alcohol.”
“Such large quantities of alcohol in our bodies leads to dehydration, the tendency for smokers to smoke more, loss of appetite and increased consumption of unhealthy foods after the party and the next morning.”
Norwich Union Healthcare tips for people attending Christmas parties include:
- Eat eggs or yoghurt or full-fat milk before a party
- Avoid mixing alcoholic drinks and alternate with soft drinks - or stick to water
- Drink plenty of water when you get home and allow your liver time to break down alcohol before going to bed
- Avoid drinks such as red wine and whisky – they contain substances which can give worse hangovers
- Avoid smoking and smoky atmospheres
- Eat a good breakfast the morning after a party
- Try to exercise and get enough sleep during the festive season – also make sure your diet contains plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and rich food and go to bed early on at least one day a week
- The only sure way to avoid a hangover is not to drink at all
- Never drink and drive.
Notes to Editors
For more information or if you have any questions about the above figures please contact Anja Kueppers or Matthew Buchanan at QBO (020) 7379 0304 or Louise Zucchi at Norwich Union press office 08703 666 860
- Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned researchers to interview 600 working adults from all over the country between 27 – 29 November, 2001.
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 675,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- Member of the General Insurance Standards Council
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on this internet site
- A selection of images are available from the CGNU Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
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