Managers’ and employees’ views of critical aspects for alcohol abuse prevention at small and medium enterprises – the case of ski resorts in Northern Sweden

Abstract

Seasonal workers at tourism resorts, particularly young employees, represent a high-risk population for alcohol abuse and other negative lifestyles. This study explores how managers and employees at ski resorts in Northern Sweden experience critical aspects for hazardous alcohol use at small- and medium-sized enterprises. This analysis is based on one open-ended question about hazardous alcohol use prevention at the workplace answered by 153 employees, and semi-structured interviews about being a manager at a ski resort conducted with 13 managers. The analysis showed that managers' views regarding hazardous alcohol use prevention were double-edged, which was confirmed by the employees' answers. The managers contribute to the preservation of existing alcohol norms but simultaneously enforce policies and administer tests to control employees' sobriety at work. Three themes emerged: reproducing existing alcohol norms, an alcohol-controlled working environment and care-taking managers. The results identified a need for early prevention initiatives focusing on the norms and work cultures of small- and medium-sized ski resorts. In relation to the theory of planned behaviour, the analysis illuminates how evaluations of behaviours related to alcohol consumption are communicated in policies and through leadership. In addition, the importance of social pressure regarding alcohol use is clarified in the material.