Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the workplace, including accidents, injuries, absenteeism and low productivity. In 2017/18, the annual cost of absenteeism due to alcohol use was estimated to be $3.6b, while lost productivity due to alcohol-related illness and injury was estimated to cost businesses $0.4b.

In addition, a range of other alcohol-related costs are likely to effect businesses, such as presenteeism (when employees are present at work but their productivity is impaired), turnover costs (costs associated with replacing those who leave), implementing drug testing, and employee wellbeing costs (e.g., providing counselling services).