A new analysis compiled by Levine and Wiss examines how alcohol use during and after work continues to shape employee behavior, workplace culture, and employer liability. The study draws on national surveys, state level comparisons, and industry specific patterns to show how common drinking has become in professional settings and how costly the consequences can be. The findings reveal a workplace landscape where alcohol is both a social tool and a significant risk factor.
The report begins with a look at employee attitudes toward drinking at company events. The data shows a nearly even split in preference. Just over half of surveyed workers prefer holiday parties where alcohol is available, while nearly half prefer events without it. Gender differences are clear. A majority of men want more alcohol options at work gatherings, while a majority of women prefer to avoid them. Generational differences are also pronounced, with Millennials and Gen Z reporting the highest enjoyment of alcohol centered work events.
The study also highlights how common drinking is at company functions. In a survey of 1,400 Americans, 88 percent said they drink alcohol at company parties and 20 percent admitted to binge drinking at these events. Alcohol is not limited to celebrations. Nearly a quarter of workers say alcohol is served at team bonding events, and more than one in ten say their employer has given them permission to drink with clients.
These patterns come with consequences. Surveyed employees reported a wide range of negative outcomes linked to drinking at work events, including inappropriate comments, illness, harassment, assault, and drunk driving. The study also shows that alcohol use at work events can influence how employees perceive one another, often in ways that affect workplace relationships long after the event ends.
Below is a list of the industries with the highest rates of alcohol at company events.
Top Five Industries for Alcohol at Work Events
- Technology
- Construction
- Marketing and advertising
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
- Information services and data processing
Not all employees welcome these environments. More than a third say they would rather avoid work events that involve drinking. Many take active steps to do so. Some use excuses to skip events, some reluctantly drink to fit in, and others attend but pretend to drink to avoid standing out.
Employee Responses to Work Event Invitations
- 22.3 percent use an excuse to avoid attending
- 15.8 percent reluctantly drink
- 13.8 percent avoid events involving alcohol
- 11.5 percent pretend to drink
The study also includes data from a separate survey of 1,007 people who recently attended events with open bars. More than half said they drink more when the bar is free. The type of drink chosen also shifts when cost is removed. Beer consumption drops sharply at open bars, while liquor becomes the dominant choice for both men and women.
The table below shows how drink preferences change when the bar is free.
Drink Preferences at Regular Bars vs Open Bars
| Drink Type | Men Regular Bar | Women Regular Bar | Men Open Bar | Women Open Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beer | 48% | 16.6% | 17.8% | 3.9% |
| Liquor | 42.6% | 48.9% | 73.8% | 82.6% |
| Wine | 9.4% | 34.5% | 8.4% | 13.5% |
Respondents were also asked which events they most associate with open bars. Weddings ranked first, followed by company events. The average number of drinks consumed at each type of event is shown below.
Average Drinks Consumed at Free Bar Events
| Event Type | Average Drinks | Average Amount Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding (40.2%) | 5.3 | 41.19 |
| Company event (17.8%) | 4.3 | 38.53 |
| Birthday (15.5%) | 5.3 | 46.30 |
| Holiday (10.1%) | 5.3 | 39.46 |
| Other (8.8%) | 4.9 | n/a |
| Family event (7.6%) | 5.1 | 38.53 |
The likelihood of getting drunk or blacking out also varies by event type.
Likelihood of Drunkenness or Blackout
| Event Type | Percent Drunk | Percent Blacked Out |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding | 59.5 | 31.8 |
| Birthday | 57.7 | 24.5 |
| Holiday | 56.1 | 26.1 |
| Family event | 51.3 | 15 |
| Company party | 50.5 | 23.9 |
Beyond drinking itself, the study reports that more than 8 percent of employees say they have engaged in sexual activity with a coworker at a work event involving alcohol, and 2 percent admit to sexually harassing a coworker. These findings underscore the risks employers face when alcohol is present in professional settings.
The report also examines state level differences in drinking during working hours. The disparities are significant. In Alaska, 67 percent of workers say they have consumed alcohol during work hours. In Nebraska, the figure is only 13 percent.
States With the Highest Percentage of Workers Who Drink During Working Hours
| State | Main Drink | Percent Who Drink at Work |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Liquor | 67% |
| Maine | Liquor | 60% |
| New Mexico | Beer | 56% |
| Oklahoma | Beer | 51% |
| Delaware | Liquor | 50% |
| Hawaii | Liquor | 50% |
| Mississippi | Beer | 50% |
| Nevada | Liquor | 50% |
| Indiana | Liquor | 46% |
| Connecticut | Beer | 45% |
States With the Lowest Percentage of Workers Who Drink During Working Hours
| State | Main Drink | Percent Who Drink at Work |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | Beer | 13% |
| Massachusetts | Liquor | 15% |
| Arkansas | Liquor | 16% |
| South Dakota | Beer | 16% |
| Rhode Island | Beer | 17% |
| South Carolina | Liquor | 19% |
| North Dakota | Beer | 20% |
| Utah | Liquor | 21% |
| Kansas | Beer | 25% |
| Minnesota | Liquor | 25% |
The study also notes that younger workers are drinking less than previous generations. A Gallup poll cited in the report shows that the percentage of young adults who drink alcohol has fallen from 72 percent in 2003 to 62 percent in 2023. Their average weekly drink count has also dropped.
The financial impact of alcohol use at work is substantial. Employers lose an estimated 33 to 68 billion dollars each year due to lost productivity, workplace accidents, medical claims, and related costs. Absenteeism among employees who drink at work is up to eight times higher than among those who do not.
The report also examines after work drinking. The average American worker spends more than 3,000 dollars a year on drinks after work. The average session lasts nearly two hours. These outings can lead to drunk driving incidents, which carry serious consequences including increased insurance rates, license suspension, job loss, and jail time.
Employer liability is also a concern. A 2019 Oregon Supreme Court case established that employers who encourage or organize after work drinking may be held responsible for the consequences, including drunk driving incidents. Liability increases when employees are required or strongly encouraged to attend events where alcohol is served.
The study notes that seven states have banned happy hour promotions. These include Alaska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Alaska stands out because it prohibits happy hour but has the highest percentage of workers who drink during work hours.
The report also includes additional findings about after work drinking behavior.
Additional After Work Drinking Statistics
- One in three workers believes after work drinks help with team bonding
- The average after work session lasts 1.8 hours
- One in ten workers drinks shots during these outings
- Fifteen percent of employees say they would get drunk in front of their boss
- Eleven percent of bosses say they would get drunk in front of employees
- Thirty eight percent of Americans believe after work drinks strengthen teams
The study concludes by noting that while alcohol can create a sense of camaraderie, it also introduces significant risks. Nearly half of surveyed employees prefer alcohol free gatherings. Many avoid events with alcohol entirely. Open bars increase consumption and raise the likelihood of misconduct. Drinking at work or after work can lead to liability issues, productivity losses, and reputational harm.
Levine and Wiss present a clear picture. Alcohol in professional settings is common, but the risks are substantial. Companies that allow or encourage drinking must weigh the social benefits against the financial, legal, and cultural costs.