Workplace drinking is often framed as harmless celebration. Yet the data compiled by Levine and Wiss shows a different reality. Their study reveals a pattern of employee discomfort, increased misconduct, financial loss, and legal exposure that employers rarely quantify. This angle focuses on the numbers themselves, presenting a clear picture of how drinking during or after work affects employees, companies, and public safety.
Key Findings at a Glance
These are the most significant data points from the study.
Employee Preferences
- 51 percent prefer holiday parties with alcohol
- 49 percent prefer alcohol free events
- 59 percent of men want more alcohol at work events
- 55 percent of women prefer to avoid alcohol at work events
Drinking at Company Events
- 88 percent drink at company parties
- 20 percent binge drink
- 24 percent say alcohol is served at team bonding events
- 13 percent say employers have permitted drinking with clients
Avoidance Behaviors
- 35 percent prefer to avoid alcohol centered work events
- 22.3 percent use an excuse to skip events
- 15.8 percent reluctantly drink
- 13.8 percent avoid events with alcohol
- 11.5 percent pretend to drink to fit in
Generational and Behavioral Trends
Younger workers show the strongest divide between enjoying alcohol centered events and drinking less overall.
Generational Snapshot
- Millennials and Gen Z are most likely to enjoy alcohol centered holiday parties
- Gen Z is the least likely generation to drink overall
- Alcohol use among adults aged 18 to 34 has dropped from 72 percent in 2003 to 62 percent in 2023
- Average weekly drinks for this age group fell from 5.2 to 3.6 over the same period
Consequences Reported by Employees
A survey of 1,100 full time employees shows that drinking at work events leads to a wide range of outcomes, from uncomfortable to dangerous.
Reported Consequences Include
- Inappropriate comments
- Illness
- Assault
- Sexual harassment
- Drunk driving
Additional Concerning Behaviors
- More than 8 percent engaged in sexual activity with a coworker at a work event
- Two percent admitted to sexually harassing a coworker
Industries With the Highest Alcohol Presence
These industries host the most alcohol centered company events.
| Rank | Industry |
| 1 | Technology |
| 2 | Construction |
| 3 | Marketing and advertising |
| 4 | Arts and entertainment |
| 5 | Information services and data processing |
How Open Bars Change Drinking Behavior
A separate survey cited in the study shows how dramatically consumption increases when alcohol is free.
Consumption Changes
- 53.4 percent drink more at an open bar
- 43 percent drink the same amount
Drink Preferences: Paid vs Free
| Drink Type | Men Paying | Women Paying | Men Open Bar | Women Open Bar |
| Beer | 48 percent | 16.6 percent | 17.8 percent | 3.9 percent |
| Liquor | 42.6 percent | 48.9 percent | 73.8 percent | 82.6 percent |
| Wine | 9.4 percent | 34.5 percent | 8.4 percent | 13.5 percent |
Events Most Associated With Open Bars
| Event Type | Percent Selecting Event | Average Drinks | Average Amount Spent |
| Wedding | 40.2 percent | 5.3 | 41.19 dollars |
| Company event | 17.8 percent | 4.3 | 38.53 dollars |
| Birthday | 15.5 percent | 5.3 | 46.30 dollars |
| Holiday | 10.1 percent | 5.3 | 39.46 dollars |
| Other | 8.8 percent | 4.9 | Not available |
| Family event | 7.6 percent | 5.1 | 38.53 dollars |
Likelihood of Drunkenness or Blackouts
| Event Type | Percent Drunk | Percent Blacked Out |
| Wedding | 59.5 percent | 31.8 percent |
| Birthday | 57.7 percent | 24.5 percent |
| Holiday | 56.1 percent | 26.1 percent |
| Family event | 51.3 percent | 15 percent |
| Company party | 50.5 percent | 23.9 percent |
State by State Differences in Drinking During Work Hours
The study shows wide disparities across the United States.
States With the Highest Rates
| State | Main Drink | Percent Drinking at Work |
| Alaska | Liquor | 67 percent |
| Maine | Liquor | 60 percent |
| New Mexico | Beer | 56 percent |
| Oklahoma | Beer | 51 percent |
| Delaware | Liquor | 50 percent |
| Hawaii | Liquor | 50 percent |
| Mississippi | Beer | 50 percent |
| Nevada | Liquor | 50 percent |
| Indiana | Liquor | 46 percent |
| Connecticut | Beer | 45 percent |
States With the Lowest Rates
| State | Main Drink | Percent Drinking at Work |
| Nebraska | Beer | 13 percent |
| Massachusetts | Liquor | 15 percent |
| Arkansas | Liquor | 16 percent |
| South Dakota | Beer | 16 percent |
| Rhode Island | Beer | 17 percent |
| South Carolina | Liquor | 19 percent |
| North Dakota | Beer | 20 percent |
| Utah | Liquor | 21 percent |
| Kansas | Beer | 25 percent |
| Minnesota | Liquor | 25 percent |
The Financial Impact on Employers
The economic consequences of workplace drinking are substantial.
Annual Cost to Employers
- Between 33 billion and 68 billion dollars lost each year
- Losses include reduced productivity, medical claims, car accidents, and absenteeism
- Absenteeism among employees who drink at work is up to eight times higher
After Work Drinking and Liability
The study also highlights the risks associated with after work drinking.
Employee Spending and Behavior
- The average worker spends more than 3,000 dollars per year on after work drinks
- The average session lasts 1.8 hours
- One in ten workers drinks shots
- Fifteen percent would get drunk in front of their boss
- Eleven percent of bosses would get drunk in front of employees
- Thirty eight percent believe after work drinks strengthen team bonds
Legal Exposure
- A 2019 Oregon Supreme Court case established that employers who organize or encourage after work drinking may be liable for resulting harm
- Liability increases when attendance is required or strongly encouraged
States That Ban Happy Hour
- Alaska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
The Broader Risk Picture
The data compiled by Levine and Wiss shows that drinking in work related settings is not a minor cultural detail. It is a measurable risk factor that affects safety, productivity, and liability.
Key Risk Indicators
- Nearly half of employees prefer alcohol free gatherings
- Women and older workers are more likely to avoid alcohol centered events
- Open bars significantly increase consumption and misconduct
- Remote work has increased drinking during work hours, with 32 percent of Americans more likely to drink while working from home
The numbers point to a clear conclusion. Companies that allow or encourage drinking take on significant risk, and the consequences can extend far beyond the event itself.
