By Richard Hough
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently published guidelines on hosting alcohol-free professional events in which it argues that alcohol-free events support healthier, more inclusive and safer professional environments.
While the evidence presented by WHO in these guidelines seems largely anecdotal (“Lone”, a workplace security manager from Denmark and “Hamid”, a medical student from Slovakia), the harmful effects of excessive alcohol use are well documented.
But so are the harmful effects of workplace stress. Long working hours and high-stress environments can even trigger alcohol abuse. The response to that should be to address workplace conditions, not to outlaw a birthday toast or a drinks reception at a conference!
As for the argument that alcohol at professional gatherings can leave some feeling “uncomfortable” or “excluded”, so too can corporate jargon and buzzwords, but I don’t see anyone proposing that we ban the use of “circle back,” and “touch base”!
At the Italian Wine Podcast, we believe that alcohol (and wine in particular) has an important cultural, social and economic function.
Can you imagine the World Health Organization telling Socrates he couldn’t have a glass of wine at the Symposium, or the builders of the Great Pyramids that they couldn’t have their daily beer ration, or that Winston Churchill couldn’t have a whisky and soda during a military brainstorming session with his generals?
At the Italian Wine Podcast studios, barely a month goes by without us celebrating a birthday, marking an important occasion (like Thanksgiving or International Women’s Day) or bidding a fond farewell to a departing colleague or collaborator. Coming together for a few minutes on a Friday afternoon in a convivial and informal setting is a familiar and important ritual. Doing so without a glass of perfectly chilled Prosecco or Franciacorta or Trento DOC would be anathema. When we spend so much of our day in front of a computer with our headphones on, these moments of inclusion, connection, and reflection are vital to the individual and collective wellbeing of the organization. Wine is central to that.
Even for an organization like ours that is so immersed in the world of wine, 99% of our working hours are alcohol-free. We spend our days writing, making videos, and talking about wine. That doesn’t mean we are constantly drinking the stuff! So, when the end of the week arrives, when a long-serving colleague is moving on, or we just feel the need to come together at the end of the grueling four-week Vinitaly Marathon, why shouldn’t we enjoy a moment of indulgence with our colleagues? A glass of wine for those who want it, a soft drink for those who, for whatever reason, don’t. No stigma, no compulsion, no pressure. Just a shared moment to decompress.
The positive case for a moderate, responsible approach to workplace alcohol policies centers on fostering interpersonal trust, team bonding, andstress reduction. By treating employees like adults and embracing a culture of respect and moderation rather than a strict ban, companies can enhance organic professional networks and boost overall job satisfaction. Of course, there are many reasons why someone may prefer not to drink on any given occasion, and that decision should always be respected. That goes without saying.
On a recent episode of the Italian Wine Podcast (Episode 2581), Edward Slingerland, Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization, argued that intoxication has sparked innovation and civilization throughout human history. He believes that medical literature and public policy regarding alcohol is misguided and that it ignores the important social functions of alcohol. There’s plenty of evidence, he suggests, that alcohol can enhance creativity, help people interact and relax at the end of the day, and overcome their inhibitions (in relation to problem solving, for example).Professor Slingerland argues that alcohol is “an essential tool for reducing stress, enhancing individual and group creativity, and facilitating social bonding.”
As anyone who has spent any time in Italy knows, there is a positive case for (moderate) alcohol consumption. That includes a glass or two of Prosecco with colleagues on a Friday afternoon. So, here are our tips for a more Italian approach to alcohol consumption in the workplace, based on the principles of moderation and conviviality.
Pair Wine with Food: In Italy, upwards of 80% of alcohol consumption occurs during mealtimes, usually lunch and dinner. Drinking on a full stomach drastically slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, mitigating the sharp blood sugar spikes and liver stress associated with drinking on an empty stomach. If you’re serving wine, offer something to eat as well, even if it’s just some cheese or tarallini.
Sip, Don’t Gulp: Savor slowly and appreciate what’s in the glass. The goal is conviviality rather than intoxication!
Stay hydrated: Water is the perfect companion to any alcoholic beverage. In Italy, it is customary to drink water before, during, and after consuming wine.
Choose Quality over Quantity: Italians typically opt for well-crafted, localized beverages rather than highly processed, sugary, or high-proof alternatives.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic on the Italian Wine Podcast, several episodes address it directly:
Episode 2515: Juliana Colangelo interviews Wine-Searcher’s Blake Gray, focusing specifically on neo-prohibitionism and revised U.S. dietary guidelines.
Episode 2581: Richard Hough hosts Professor Edward Slingerland to explore the history of human alcohol consumption and the rise of modern neo-prohibitionism.
Episode 1992: A Masterclass on the U.S. wine market with Felicity Carter.
