Heavy alcohol use, job satisfaction, and job escapism drinking among foodservice employees: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT

This study explored the relationship between employment in the foodservice industry and higher risk of alcohol consumption, with consideration to job satisfaction and job escapism. A mixed method approach was used to examine whether a correlation exists between employment in the foodservice industry and a higher risk for heavy alcohol use. Job dissatisfaction was cited as a motivation for drinking as compared to those working individuals employed in industries other than foodservice. The interviews and survey confirmed the hypothesis that workers in the foodservice industry would report higher alcohol consumption than their colleagues in other sectors, concluded foodservice workers experience low levels of job satisfaction relative to non-foodservice employees, and revealed job dissatisfaction and job escapism are related to heavy alcohol consumption among foodservice workers.

KEYWORDS:

• Heavy alcohol use
• job escapism drinking
• foodservice employees
• job satisfaction