In Switzerland in large companies alcohol prevention programmes are wide spread. Their basic aim is to reduce hidden costs and to improve security at the workplace. To reach these goals early detection of employees with alcohol problems has been introduced and referral systems to therapeutic measures have been developed. Many of the alcohol prevention programmes, however, do not meet the standards of good practice discussed in this article. In addition, the cost efficiency of these programmes could rarely be proved. A noticeable lack of alcohol prevention programmes exists, however, in small and medium companies.