Partner Article

Don’t take away the tea break

Your company’s refreshments budget might not seem like a big deal, but for many staff it’s more than a storm in a teacup.

One third of employees have seen companies cut back on free drinks over the past year, and this trend makes many workers worry about what else could be cut from the company budget.

The survey conducted by uSwitchforbusiness.com also showed that 11% of workers believed that cutbacks in the tea budget had a detrimental effect on the atmosphere at work.

While this is a difficult time for many businesses and cutbacks do need to be made, free perks do send out a positive message to loyal members of staff.

30% of staff members say that free tea and coffee boost staff morale, and a further 16% even use this to gage what the company is like – if its mean about tea and coffee, what else are they mean about?

James Constant, director of uSwitchforbusiness.com said: “Given the economic climate it makes sense to cut costs. While perks like free tea and coffee do add up, the cost is minimal when compared with the value staff place on them.

“When it comes to cutting costs businesses need to pick their battles wisely. There are many quick and easy wins that wont impact on staff morale, including moving to a cheaper energy supplier and reducing the amount of energy you use.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .