Women more likely to call in sick with hangover

Late night drinking is taking it's toll on the nation as 670,000 working days a year are being lost because of the relaxation of alcohol laws

Binge drinking Britain is not a new phenomenon but late night opening hours seem to be taking a toll with women five times more likely to call in sick than men due to a hangover.

Researchers from the University of Lancaster found that women now take an average of almost three extra days off work compared to before Labour introduced 24 hour drinking in 2005. Men only take an extra half a day off.

'Government intervention on leisure activities, especially those involving alcohol consumption, have the potential to spill over and affect working behaviour,' says Dr Colin Green, senior lecturer in economics at Lancaster University.

Labour's intention was to create a more relaxed continental style cafe culture to deter revellers from quickly downing drinks before last orders, but there is evidence to suggest the change in laws have simply encouraged excessive drinking.

Researchers looked at absenteeism figures from the Government's UK Labour Force survey from 1996 to 2008 and found an increase in both sexes of three per cent since the liberalisation of pub opening hours.

'This study provides evidence that the introduction of extended hours drinking in 2005 has had a detrimental health effect,' says a spokesperson from Alcohol Concern.

Almost 70,000 people were admitted to NHS hospitals last year sue to alcohol related illness.

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