New report reveals estimated hours, productivity loss after Sunday's football match
Super Bowl hangovers could cost U.S. businesses nearly $3 billion, according to finance experts at NetVoucherCodes.
With millions of Americans expected to indulge in alcohol while watching the big game, the aftermath of hangovers could result in significant productivity losses across the country.
Approximately 54.2 million U.S. adults who drink alcohol and watch the Super Bowl could report to work the next day still feeling the effects of their celebrations.
The study, which analysed the impact of "Super Sick Monday," found that businesses could lose $55.28 in productivity per person due to the effects of hangovers. This translates to a staggering $2.99 billion in losses for U.S. companies on a single day.
The impact on working hours is also considerable, according to the study. Assuming an average U.S. worker works eight hours a day, the study estimates that each hungover worker loses 119.5 minutes of productivity.
With over 54 million drinking viewers, U.S. businesses could lose 107.9 million working hours due to Super Bowl hangovers.
NetVoucherCodes calculated the daily productivity loss of an average worker by examining the average wage of $222 per day, based on recent figures from Talent.com.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a hangover can reduce productivity by 24.9%. This means each hungover worker is potentially wasting $55.28 in business costs.
While 210 million Americans tuned in to watch the Super Bowl in 2024, not all of them will be working the following day or consuming alcohol.
NetVoucherCodes focused on working-aged Americans, reducing the number to 136 million. From there, the study further factored in the percentage of employed individuals and alcohol drinkers, ultimately determining that 54,165,283 million Super Bowl viewers could be hungover at work.
Rebecca Bebbington, a finance expert at NetVoucherCodes, commented on the findings, noting the potential risk to both businesses and workers.
"Americans are known for their love of football, but just as much for their passion for drinks. It's certain that many fans will celebrate the Super Bowl by getting drunk, whether watching from home or going to a bar with their friends," Bebbington said.
She advised drinkers to be cautious as the Super Bowl falls on a Sunday, with the risk of hangover potentially impacting their productivity the next day.
"A hangover can impair your performance, making it harder to concentrate, solve problems, or make sound decisions. For those in roles involving machinery or driving, it becomes a serious safety hazard due to slower reflexes and poor judgment," she said.
"If alcohol is still in your system, you might even be in breach of workplace policies or legal regulations, resulting in being potentially let go from your job."
A record 22.6 million Americans are expected to miss work on Monday after the Super Bowl, while 12.9 million plan to arrive late to work, according to UKG.
