Mad Men + Work + Belonging
I watched Mad Men (2007-2015) at the height of my drinking career. I remember glorifying what I saw in this depiction of the ‘60s advertising scene.
It did wonders to placate any concerns I had about my own drinking. Based on what I saw on that show, our drinking was nothing!
I guess I saw it as a hall pass, of sorts, for the way I drank. It somehow made me feel less alone. It offered some small freedom, from a very anxious and frantic mind.
A lot of my drinking was tied to my work, and I took pride in my ability to drink with the best of them and to drink a lot. It is interesting to reflect back on the mental gymnastics I would do in those days to somehow find peace with myself. But, certainly, any peace I found was nothing more than a very sad, consolation prize. Like, not even a participation trophy. Maybe more like a “congratulations, you drove to the event and found parking” trophy.
Today, I am on the other side of some difficult times and it all looks a little different from here. Not from a place of self-satisfaction, judgment, or a desire to impede on anyone else’s lifestyle. But in wanting to help any humans that are similar to past versions of myself, find a way to fill their cup again, metaphorically speaking, of course.
This is the heart of Sober Positive Workplace.
We spend a lot of time at work
Based on the American Time Survey recently released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employed persons spend 30% of their time at work. This does not include the work time spent on household work or childhood responsibilities. It is not surprising that belonging at work feels important, not only for overall well being, but for survival as well. For many adults work can account for the majority of social interaction.
Companies that build teams with meaningful connections to one another can improve retention rate, workforce productivity, and job satisfaction. There are financial benefits to creating community building outside of the workplace. But unfortunately, culturally, it is not likely a surprise to hear that this has typically always been alcohol centered. There are exceptions to this based on industry and a variety of other factors, but for many workplace environments, this is the established culture and then expectation.
This is something we can impact.
This is not only about sober people supporting other sober people
A workplace community requires-just that, a community.
In the case of a Sober Positive Workplace, it is:
Peer advocates within organizations that support peers and provide safe networks.
Managers learning new skills and new ways to talk about a historically taboo subject matter.
Human Resource leaders looking to change a damaging cultural norm that is negatively impacting employees.
Business owners and executives who are fed up with the fall-out of overly boozy corporate events and want to make a social impact.
An impacted individual that wants to be part of the change.
Marketing executives who want to align the values of the organization in a way that relates to a shifting culture and shifting expectation of work-life balance.
Corporate recruiters who want to attract diversified talent.
Recovery advocates that are already doing the work and want to share their knowledge, expertise and talents.
Together this is the corporate community that wants to normalize non-drinking because it is more than just a social issue — it’s also good business.
For more information on the organizational benefits of considering this culture shift, CLICK HERE.
September is
Recovery Awareness Month
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