Dry January challenge against alcohol in the workplace

Starting on January 1, 2026, Dry January, which claims to be Switzerland's largest alcohol prevention campaign, invites people to live alcohol-free for a month and thereby question their own alcohol consumption. In January 2026, the professional environment will also be included. This is because there is now the Workplace Challenge, which motivates companies and teams to venture into an alcohol-free start to the year together. Dry January provides those responsible in the company with tips and materials before and during the campaign to make the challenge interesting for the team. The campaign is supported and sponsored by Blue Cross Switzerland, the Professional Association for Addiction, Addiction Switzerland, and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), among others.

Alcohol in the workplace as a cost driver

In Switzerland, 2 to 5% of employees and up to 10% of managers have a harmful relationship with alcohol. Alcohol consumption plays a role in one in six dismissals. 15 to 25% of workplace accidents are attributable to alcohol consumption or the consumption of other psychoactive substances. In Switzerland, 215 million hours of absence are due to illness or accidents, 8.4 million of which are alcohol-related.

Companies take responsibility

«For us, Dry January is not about giving something up, but rather a conscious start to the new year. We want to actively support our employees in this. At Unic, we are exploring new ways to improve well-being in everyday working life with curiosity and a sense of community. As office manager, the physical and mental health of our employees is particularly important to me. That's why we promote mindful alcohol consumption, including through specific offers such as alcohol-free aperitifs in January,» says Anita Hermecz, office manager at Unic AG Bern-Liebefeld. «Go for Dry January – good for your liver and your wallet,» says Michael Frei, a participating employee at Unic.

What is the Workplace Challenge?

The Dry January challenge as a team provides the impetus for a healthier, more productive, and happier working environment. This year's Dry January focus on «occupational health management» aims to introduce companies to the topic of «alcohol and work» in a lighthearted way. To this end, it has created the «Workplace Challenge,» which focuses on employee health as well as raising awareness and questioning drinking norms. Drinking norms can be particularly problematic in a work context if they create social pressure and make employees feel uncomfortable. In contrast, the Workplace Challenge promotes team cohesion. Dry January makes it easier for companies to organize alcohol-free team events that were previously accompanied or even dominated by alcohol, while still celebrating in a relaxed atmosphere. The vision: places where we work are perceived as a central, valuable, and safe environment for reflecting on alcohol consumption together and supporting changes in consumption. By participating in Dry January, companies are making a committed contribution to the physical and mental health of their employees.

Dry January at work – easy to implement

Dry January supports companies and HR managers in implementing the campaign in the workplace. It provides materials and gadgets for the Workplace Challenge. In addition, the Frappé bike, interactive half-day workshops on alcohol in the workplace, the Blue Cocktail Bar, mixing shows, courses, or bar service with world-class flair bartenders, a driving simulator, drunk goggles, and interactive workshops can be hired at a lower member price. Prizes include weekly deliveries of non-alcoholic drinks for the whole team and a grand prize of a spa visit in Burgdorf.

Further information and how to participate

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/dry-january-challenge-gegen-alkohol-am-arbeitsplatz/