Study urges corrective action on employee happy hours

A cold drink after a hard day's work may be a fun way to wind down with colleagues and co-workers and a part of the work day in most countries in the west, but now Australian experts are increasingly frowning at the practice.

They say the costs in lost productivity alone run into billions of dollar every year besides the medical costs involved and have called for workplaces to take a hard look at the way employees and alcohol mix.

But employees mostly feel drinks make a positive addition to the work environment making it a happier and even a more productive place.

They say it is important to have a good relationship with co-workers and the Friday night drink goes a long way in establishing that.

According to one Friday night drinker, the high stress environment and working in the corporate world is conducive to people having a bit of fun on a Friday night after work is done.

However a new report has found that alcohol consumption and associated problems like sick days and hangovers are costing Australian business more than $5.5 billion a year.