EMPLOYEES who work more than 48 hours a week are 11 per cent more likely to over consume alcohol than those who work a standard week, Finnish researchers say. 

 

The study looked at more than 300,000 people in Australia, Europe and North America. 

 

No differences were seen between men and women, says the study, published in the British Medical Journal. 

 

Risky¹ alcohol consumption is considered as more than 14 drinks a week for women and more than 21 drinks a week for men. 

 

About 20 per cent of Australians drink at levels that put them at risk of lifetime harm from injury or disease. 

 

Drinking alcohol can affect the liver or cause brain damage, heart disease, high blood pressure and increases the risk of many cancers. 

 

Study author Marianna Virtanen said while alcohol might help ease the stress of working long periods of time, risky consumption could lead to difficulties in the workplace, such as poor performance. 

 

The European Union Working Time Directive ensures that workers in EU countries have the right to work no more than 48 hours a week, including overtime². 

 

"But many people, for example well-educated managers and professionals, work much longer hours to achieve faster promotions³, salary increases, and more control over work and employment," said Prof Virtanen, of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. 

 

In Australia, it's recommended that healthy men and women drink no more than two standard drinks a day.

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