The impact of problem drinking on employment

Abstract

Social cost studies report that alcohol use and misuse impose a great economic burden on society, and over half of the total economic costs are estimated to be due to the loss of work productivity. Controversy remains, however, as to the magnitude and direction of the effects of alcohol consumption on productivity. Furthermore, most of the studies have looked at the relationship between problem drinking and wages. This paper investigates the impact of problem drinking on employment by analysing a random sample of men and women of prime working age from six Southern states in the US (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee). The data set contains 4898 females and 3224 males, with information on both employment and problem drinking. To eliminate the bias that may result from single-equation estimation, we used a bivariate probit model to control for possible correlation in the unobservable factors that affect both problem drinking and employment. We find no significant negative association between problem drinking and employment for both men and women, controlling for other covariates. The findings are consistent with other research and highlight several methodological issues. Furthermore, the study suggests that estimates of the costs of problem drinking may be overstated owing to misleading labour supply relationships.

Prevalence and patterns of problematic alcohol use among Australian parents

“…38 A longitudinal study by Booth and Feng 38 found that heavy drinkers were more likely to be unemployed at follow-up after controlling for other drug use, recent health status and negative life events. Consistent with our findings, a study by Feng and colleagues 39 showed that problematic drinking is associated with being employed, but among females only. Other studies have also shown that work-related stress is related to harmful or problematic levels of alcohol use among vulnerable employees.…”

Does drinking affect long-term sickness absence? A sample selection approach correcting for employment and accounting for drinking history

“…Feng et al, 2001). In a Russian sample, Tekin (2002) concludes that when controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, alcohol has no effect on employment for men and a small positive effect for women.…”

Questionários sobre o uso de álcool e drogas entre trabalhadores: revisão da literatura

“…A entrevista também incluiu questões relacionadas ao emprego e informações demográficas, como idade, sexo, raça/etnia, estado civil, tamanho da família, educação, localização geográfica (rural ou urbana e distrito de residência), experiência em serviço militar e estado de saúde geral. Foi o único estudo que mencionou entrevista por telefone (27) .…”