This essay is about drinking and industrial work discipline. Drinking on the job was normal until the rise of industrialization in Europe, this essay explains why the change in attitude occured.

Emerging from the pre-industrial era, alcohol was very much a part of workers' lives both at work and at home. Alcohol was a thirst quencher, a dietary supplement and a stimulant. Alcohol also played a social role in that it helped form bonds among men. At first employers encouraged the use of alcohol, but later during the Industrial Revolution their views began to change. Employers felt that the use of alcohol was a problem; it …

…in fact not an essential element of the diet. The Unions also contributed. The unions spoke directly to the workers and explained to them in terms that affected them personally the benefits in not drinking on the job. They explain things such as the fact that heavy drinking only gave employers an excuse to keep wages low. They also spoke about alcohol's medicinal and nutritive risks. Trade unions contributed immensely to the reduction of consumption.