Workplace alcohol prevention: are managers' individual characteristics associated with organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions?

Abstract

PurposeIndividual factors associated with managers' organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions have been understudied. This study aims to examine differences in managers' policy knowledge and inclination across a range of socio-demographic, work-related and health characteristics, and it aims to examine the association between policy knowledge and inclination to intervene, net of these characteristics.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire data were collected from 430 managers. Organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to intervene were measured using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). Socio-demographic, work-related and health characteristics included gender, age, education, managerial responsibility, years in current position, self-rated health and alcohol consumption. Associations were examined using multilevel ordinal regression analysis.FindingsManagers with a greater number of employees demonstrated the highest level of organisational alcohol policy knowledge and were more inclined to initiate early alcohol interventions. Alcohol policy knowledge was associated with inclination to intervene, net of individual characteristics.Practical implicationsConsidering how managers' characteristics might influence efforts to decrease hazardous alcohol consumption is potentially important when designing future workplace alcohol prevention programmes.Originality/valueSeveral individual factors related to managers' organisational alcohol policy knowledge and inclination to initiate early alcohol interventions were identified, particularly managerial responsibility. However, the association between policy knowledge and inclination to intervene remained strong after accounting for these individual factors. Future studies should explore alternative explanations at the individual and organisational levels.

An integrative literature review exploring the impact of alcohol workplace policies

“…One study highlighted that this then increased the chances of staff seeking help if they needed it (Pidd et al, 2018). Findings from the wider literature also recognize the link between knowledge or awareness of alcohol policy and a greater likelihood for managers to initiate interventions within the workplace (Elling et al, 2020). However, as seen in this review, awareness of policy did not always equate to an understanding of policy.…”

Binge Drinking Among Public Sector Food Service Workers in Brazil

“…In the United States, 39 food preparation workers have been identified among the occupational groups with the highest prevalence of BD. This behavior is popular among individuals employed in hotel and restaurant businesses due to both the easy accessibility and high availability of alcoholic beverages compared to other sectors 40,41,42 . Results of epidemiological studies on the association between alcohol misuse with some aspects of job stress are inconsistent.…”

“…This behavior is popular among individuals employed in hotel and restaurant businesses due to both the easy accessibility and high availability of alcoholic beverages compared to other sectors. 40,41,42 Results of epidemiological studies on the association between alcohol misuse with some aspects of job stress are inconsistent. Two explanations are available in this regard: lack of consensus regarding the conceptualization and measurement of job stress.…”