Drinking, smoking by employees cost firms Rs 800 cr: Study

Smoking and excessive drinking by employees was resulting in an annual loss of about Rs 700 to Rs 800 crore for companies, a study by industry body Assocham claimed.

Smoking and excessive drinking by employees was resulting in an annual loss of about Rs 700 to Rs 800 crore for companies, a study by industry body Assocham claimed.

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The study said that 29 per cent corporate employees indulge in "self destructive" activities such as smoking, drinking and consuming junk food, which cause chronic illnesses.

"(This) causes 20 per cent of absenteeism in corporate offices and results in loss of productivity, which is annually estimated within the range of Rs 700 to 800 crore," Assocham Secretary General DS Rawat said, adding that 12 per cent employees eat excessive junk food.

The study was based on the responses of 216 employees.

0n sleeping and exercise hours, the study said that demanding schedules and high-stress levels in corporate India were also causing sleep disorders among employees.

"This adversely affects their productivity," it added.