The insurance market, Lloyd’s of London, has taken steps to prohibit their employees from drinking alcohol during the working day.

In a memo circulated to its 800 staff, employees are banned from drinking any alcohol between the hours of 9am and 5pm throughout the working week. If an employee does not adhere to this new rule, they will face gross misconduct procedures, which could result in dismissal. It does not, however, affect the independent brokers and underwriters who work in the same building.

Rationale behind the rule

It is reported that the memo says that “The policy we’ve introduced aligns us with many firms in the market. Drinking alcohol affects individuals differently. A zero limit is therefore simpler, more consistent and in line with the modern, global and high performance culture that we want to embrace.”

Another reason for the rule was that roughly half of their grievance and disciplinary procedures revolved around the abuse of alcohol.

Employee reaction

Employees have not reacted well to the fact that there will be no more boozy lunches or quick pint at the pub. It has been reported that some have taken to the internal intranet to vent their frustration about the ban.

What are your thoughts? Do you think it is heavy-handed or completely reasonable?