Drunken debauchery in the work place will be reaching peak point over the next two weeks as one in ten of us will be going to at least five Christmas parties this year.
Employers should be aware that millions of British office workers have fallen asleep at their desk after a heavy night on the town according to a new survey. The poll revealed:
42% of employees have dropped off at their computer screen
25% have grabbed forty winks in the toilet
10% have crept out to their car for a cat nap
3% have even resorted to the stationary cupboard for a crafty kip.
A whopping 44% of adults haven't even made it in to work due to a hangover and have called in sick to their boss - although 37% were convinced their boss knew they were pulling a fast one at the time.
An honest 35% confessed all to their employer and admitted to being too hungover to make it in to work. Three per cent said their boss went mad, 27% said they were a bit annoyed and two per cent were even sacked according to the poll of 2000 people conducted by hotel chain Travelodge.
The survey revealed that two hours of a working day is wasted when an employee comes in hungover and productivity is halved. More than a third of folk say that December, the "festive season" is the most common month for feeling rough after the effects of booze.
A nauseas 28% of adults have even been sick at work the morning after the night before - fortunately 90% made it to the toilet but four per cent threw-up in the staff car park.
Two thirds of office workers resort to glasses of water to cure their hangover, half take pain killers and 25 per cent scoff on bacon sandwiches.
Celebrities who are renowned for their partying antics report the following hangover solutions:
POP star and rear-of-the-year Javine Hylton said: "I swear by Borocca for hangovers, it's wicked especially when I get very tired because it's really good for the nervous system".
Jade Jagger said: "I'm not a massive fan of cocktails like mojitos and caiphirinas because they really give you a bad hangover, so avoid cocktails and don't mix your drinks".
West End actor, singer and dancer Jennifer Ellison said: "My hangover cure is to put on Easy by Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores. The song brings back a lot of childhood memories and is a really great chilled out tune and I like to sing the "Easy like Sunday morning bit".
Finding a suitable place for some shut-eye after a Christmas party is clearly tricky: 17% have fallen asleep in a car, nine per cent on a train and eight per cent in a bathtub.
Six per cent snoozed under a table whilst at their Christmas bash and even if we make it to bed it's not for long - almost a third of Brits get four hours or less sleep after a work's night out.
Greg Dawson, Travelodge Communications Director, said: "As the party season gets into full swing, our hotels are proving a popular stop-over. In some cases staying in a Travelodge can be cheaper than a taxi home. It makes sense to spend time on the logistics for an evening out as it can save you money, give you extra partying time and ensure you grab some beauty sleep".
Travelodge offers rooms from £15 and has 300 locations in most city centres throughout the UK.
Worryingly 30% of people admitted to driving in to work despite having a raging hangover and freely admitted to probably being over the legal drink drive limit.
Regional stats are available upon request.
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For further information please contact:
Shakila Ahmed
PR Manager
Direct Line: 01844 35 8638
Mobile: 07802 702 499
Notes to editors:
Research study was conducted by 72 point amongst 2000 respondents in November 2006
The top ten cities workers have called in sick for work because of a hangover include:
1. Cambridge (67%)
2. Edinburgh (63%)
3. Coventry (56%)
4. Leeds (54%)
5. Belfast (54%)
6. Glasgow (53%)
7. Chelmsford, Norwich and Swansea (50%)
8. Liverpool (48%)
9. London (47%)
10. Manchester (44%)
Travelodge offers rooms from £26 including London and city centres. Rooms can be can be booked at www.travelodge.co.uk or by calling 08700 850 950
Travelodge was the first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985. It currently has 292 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain with the majority in city centre,s near attractions and airports.