The New Zealand Alcoholic Beverages Council has urged businesses to adopt responsible drinking practices following newly released data.
Research has revealed the need to support businesses in adopting responsible drinking practices
Four out of five employers do not have alcohol in the workplace policies in place according to a report by the Work Foundation from Lancaster University.
The report commissioned by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) also found that more than one third of managers agreed socialising in person was important given the increase in working from home.
However four in five employers do not have guidance on inclusive social events such as having non-alcoholic beverages available.
“The report shows employers put significant focus on employee health and wellbeing and developing alcohol in the workplace policies is part of this,” said NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) executive director Virginia Nicholls.
The way in which New Zealander’s drink is undergoing a cultural shift. The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined 29 percent since 1986.
The NZ Health survey says that 84 percent of New Zealand adults (more than four out of five) drink beer, wine, and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of three percentage points from last year (81 percent in 2022).
“We encourage New Zealand businesses to make use of the free resources that IARD has launched to develop effective alcohol policies and tools,” said Nicholls.
IARD has launched resources for senior managers to develop effective alcohol policies and tools for line managers to support employees in the workplace.
These resources are designed to inspire organisations to create inclusive work cultures that take account of the diverse needs and preferences of employees.
They are not intended to replace polices that may already exist. Policies will differ depending on the organisation and nature of its business as well as local and national context.
These resources include a guide to help senior managers develop effective alcohol in the workplace policies, and an interactive online course for line-managers to support individuals misusing alcohol which sets out the importance of inclusion and informed choice within work environments.
“IARD’s resources suggest offering non-alcoholic options which are important for those who are driving, pregnant or simply choose not to drink,” said Nicholls.
The report has also made clear recommendations to employers on how to create inclusive and positive workplace cultures.
These resources are part of IARD’s ongoing work to help support businesses in adopting responsible practices and reduce harmful drinking. This is also about supporting employees who choose not to drink. The NZABC is a member of IARD.
IARD has also provided free resources for ‘retail staff and servers’, to help serve and deliver alcohol responsibly. This resource is intended to complement, rather than replace existing material and to provide guidance where nothing is in place.
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