The sober-curious movement is a growing trend among individuals questioning their relationship with alcohol and opting for a more mindful approach to their consumption of it. In a recent poll, nearly 15% of adults reported planning to participate in Dry January earlier this year and 70% of those participants planned to abstain from alcohol the entire month, compared to only 50% in 2022. Participants in Dry January or Damp January (during which participants drink less alcohol but don’t abstain completely) primarily cite health as their motivation for participating.
And it’s not just January. The IWSR reported that the demand for low- and no-alcohol products is increasing significantly. The category value surpassed $11 billion in 2022, compared to $8 billion in 2018.
Employers can play a role in supporting those who are sober, sober curious or purposefully drinking less by creating a thoughtful and understanding workplace culture that supports employee well-being. Here are three considerations for employers to create a more inclusive workplace for sober and sober-curious employees.
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1. Diversify types of company parties or gatherings
After-work drinks and holiday parties that include alcohol are a mainstay of many companies’ cultures. Consider shifting some company gatherings to be more activity based, bringing colleagues together for discussions, events or games. More thoughtful team offerings and outings can also incorporate activities that improve well-being, such as giving back to others or physical exercise. Some ideas include:
- Volunteer together
- Offer workout groups or company sports leagues for all fitness levels
- Take a class as a team in anything from cooking to rock climbing
- Let employees’ interests shine in employee-led workshops
- Create an office book club
- Learn team-building skills in an improv workshop or escape room
2. Embed substance use disorder etiquette into your culture
Sobriety is a lifestyle choice for some, while others may be recovering from substance use disorder or have personal experience with loved ones who are. Creating a workplace culture that’s mindful of addiction and substance use disorder can help support those who are sober or sober curious for any reason.
Start by setting a general tone of respecting boundaries, and emphasize that why a person chooses not to drink or to drink less is a private matter. Setting these expectations can help those who are sober or sober curious avoid peer pressure to drink or avoid fielding uncomfortable questions.
Providing resources for those who might be in recovery or have loved ones with substance use disorder can also help create a supportive workplace.
3. Prioritize overall well-being as an organization
A primary motivator for those who are sober curious is improving their overall health. The health benefits of drinking less, even for part of the year, can be numerous and include better sleep, improved memory, clearer skin and decreased anxiety.
As an organization, support employee health goals and prioritize overall well-being by communicating the programs and benefits within your wellness offerings:
- Health coaches can work with employees one-on-one to create a plan to achieve their individual wellness goals and help them follow through.
- As an extra incentive to focus on health goals, let your employees know if you offer any fitness reimbursements, as well as any free virtual fitness programs. For instance, Harvard Pilgrim offers free virtual fitness classes to members and non-members alike as a convenient way to support individual health.
- Another way to support health and well-being is through any mindfulness offerings. For example, Harvard Pilgrim’s parent company, Point32Health, offers 12-minute meditation videos as part of its Peak Mind Challenge designed to improve brain power, mood and performance.
- Mental health is essential to overall well-being. Remind employees of your organization’s mental health benefits. Give them the choice to pursue the kind of mental health support that is ideal for them and their loved ones, whether that’s in-person therapy, teletherapy or digital tools for a more self-guided experience.
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The sober-curious movement presents an opportunity for employers to reimagine workplace culture to better support employees’ well-being. From diversifying company events to providing holistic health benefits, employers can create an inclusive environment and empower everyone to bring their best selves to work.
