Sun, snow, skiing, work and a lot of party – HR leaders and seasonal workers’ views on alcohol and alcohol prevention at a ski resort in Northern Sweden.

Winter tourism hires thousands of young seasonal workers every year. Work, but mostly skiing and party attracts them to stay at the ski resort for four or five months. Previous research shows that seasonal employment is associated with hazardous drinking and risk taking behaviors. Seasonal workers’ health and healthy working environment are important issues for the tourism sector. Between 2014 and 2016 the project “Safe in Åre – employer against drugs” is running with the purpose to reduce alcohol and drugs among seasonal employees. A qualitative method was used to understand critical factors for alcohol prevention among seasonal workers. Twelve HR managers in tourism companies were interviewed about alcohol prevention and the role of alcohol in seasonal workers’ daily lives. The interviews were analyzed with content analysis together with one open ended questions about seasonal workers view of the companies’ alcohol- and drug prevention. The question was answered by 611 of 1313 employees. The results shows that HR managers view on alcohol prevention was two-edged. They contribute to the preservation of existing alcohol norm but have policies to control soberness at work. Emerging themes were: Retention of existing alcohol norms and Alcohol-controlled working environment. But it was also a tendency of a preventive approach among some HR managers. The results are in progress but the preliminary conclusion is that the double message from the manager to the seasonal workers with restrictions and control of alcohol use at work but invitations to drink in the evening is problematic and contribute to the norm of “party culture”.Trygg i Åre - arbetsgivare mot droge