Enjoy Better Workplace Hangovers

Is it time to rethink our negative views of the humble work place hang over

Australian workplace and social affairs expert Professor Gary Martin believes there is no place for a hangover at work.

In a recent column, he claimed, “When one team member struggles due to a hangover, it often falls upon others to pick up the slack, leading to resentment, increased stress and a potential decline in morale.”

I am sure this does happen, but it’s a little simplistic. Workplace hangovers can be terrible, but they can also lead to team bonding, humour, and an opportunity to show resilience.

There is quiet heroism in turning up a bit dusty and then powering through a full day’s hard mahi. In this post-Covid world where pulling a sickie is easier than ever, when the threshold for not turning up is so low that we don’t even ask questions, the worker who turns up with a hangover demonstrates a level of honesty and commitment to be admired. This person had a way out, he could have stayed home, he came in - he is a hero. As the sayings go, “If you go out with the boys, you get up with the men”.