Business owners and employers have expressed their heightened concern about staff productivity and absenteeism because of the introduction of relaxed drinking laws, which will take effect soon.
This was results of a study made by employment law firm Peninsula Business Services. The study revealed that almost three-quarters of employers have expressed that they are worried that the new licensing laws which will take effect this month will only lead to increased absenteeism among their staff.
About eight in ten respondents also said that they believe the longer pub opening hours will certainly cut into their productivity. A considerable number also predicted that the law change will pose eve more negative consequences for the country’s businesses.
About 62 per cent of respondents said that extending drinking hours will only result to more staff turning up late for work and still intoxicated. This will definitely lead to a rise in workplace accidents, they warned. Most affected would, of course, be workers and employees in the manufacturing and construction sectors who have to operate heavy or complicated machinery. But even non-machine operators will also be affected because alcohol can impair judgement.
The survey results were released just as Conservative MPS failed in an attempt to stall the revamped Licensing Act from taking effect next week. Even though the party was able to force a ballot in the Commons, it was still defeated 302 votes to 228.
This new move, however, has been welcomed by drinking establishment owners, who are now moving to extend their licenses.
Company formation and business solutions experts are hoping that the matter will be looked into by the government to see if the fears of business owners are unwarranted or not.