Jessica O'ConnorA growing number of UK employees are turning to alcohol to manage the pressures of work, according to a recent Sky News report.
Nearly two-thirds of workers admitted to using alcohol as a coping mechanism for work-related stress.
This trend coincides with a 41% increase in reported workplace stress and a 20% rise in signs of burnout, sparking renewed conversations about the role alcohol plays in corporate culture.
The findings have prompted some organisations and wellbeing advocates to question whether drinking has become an embedded – if unintended – feature of how employees bond, unwind, or simply make it through the week.
While alcohol has long been a staple of many workplace social traditions – from Friday drinks to celebratory toasts- there are growing concerns that this culture may be contributing to worsening mental health, rather than alleviating it.
According to workplace wellness provider Instant Offices, it’s time to reimagine how organisations support connection and stress relief – without making alcohol the focal point.
A spokesperson from Instant Offices notes: “Normalising alcohol in the workplace can worsen stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges.
“It can also exclude non-drinkers for personal, cultural, religious or recovery reasons, and create subtle pressure to drink to ‘fit in.’”
The reinforcement of the idea that stress should be met with alcohol is another concern.
In response, some organisations are exploring alternative approaches to team bonding and celebration that don’t centre around alcohol.
These include offering mocktails and alcohol-free alternatives as standard at events, and shifting toward hosting activities such as creative workshops, volunteering days, book clubs, or coffee mornings with guest speakers.
The goal is not to eliminate fun, but to make workplace culture more inclusive and intentional.
One proposed shift is to make alcohol-free events the norm rather than the exception.
Celebrating milestones with team outings, care packages, or meaningful recognitions is another way some businesses are choosing to mark achievements.
According to Instant Offices, such changes can have significant long-term benefits: reducing reliance on alcohol, promoting healthier coping mechanisms, and supporting overall mental health.
They argue that these cultural shifts are not just desirable but essential in an environment where employees are increasingly stretched.
The spokesperson added: “Fun doesn’t have to come with a hangover.
“By rethinking how we socialise at work, we create space for deeper connection, more inclusion, and healthier teams. It’s time to raise the bar – without raising a glass.”
