Tea Dodgers: Marketers Skip the Tea Round

Those that work in marketing are the worst in the office for making tea, according to new research.

A study of 2,000 British workers examined the nation’s approach to tea and coffee consumption and found one in four workers try to dodge tea rounds – with those in marketing the biggest culprits.

Those working in property maintenance are the best at offering to make co-workers a drink, but people in advertising are more likely to go it alone.

While four in ten stingy British bosses NEVER make a tea round for their staff, the study showed.

And the average office worker drinks at least four cuppas a day, according to the research which was commissioned by Tetley.

Worryingly though, just a third of workers actually manage to take a proper tea break away from their desk- with 44 per cent of those studied feeling they are often too busy to take proper time out.

While over a fifth feel they have fewer tea breaks in a typical day than they were able to take five years ago.

Yesterday Alex Snowden, Senior Brand Manager at Tetley, said: "It’s clear that there are certain rules and expectations when it comes to the tea round at work and whether colleagues are making their fair share.

"We place a lot of value on our cup of tea in this country and there are often office politics surrounding the tea round.

"The power of a quality cup of tea has long been a source of rejuvenation for Britain’s workforce and the tea break is an integral part of many a workplace. Putting the kettle on for your colleagues offers a chance to step away from work and come back refreshed, while keeping you in their good books."

The study also found nearly a quarter of workers sneakily make themselves a brew in secret to avoid making a round of drinks for their colleagues, results showed.

Those who work in advertising roles drink the most tea day to day, while people doing administration roles have the fewest cups at work.

IT workers are the least fussy about their brew, results of the survey showed, but those in creative roles are very particular when it comes to others getting their drink right.

But when it comes to taking tea breaks those in administration are worst – 73 per cent said they don’t stop for a tea break.

And those working in HR take the most tea breaks, taking at least two a day.

Those in maintenance roles take the longest breaks at 12 minutes while marketing are in the biggest rush taking less than eight minutes.

But worryingly, a fifth of workers fear they can’t take a tea break in case their bosses think they are slacking.

Tetley is calling on 500 British businesses to help ‘Bring Back The Tea Break.’ A number have already pledged their support, including Virgin Media and tea round favourites Russell Hobbs and Mr Kipling.

Psychologist Honey Langcaster-James commented yesterday: "Fewer tea breaks reflect the increasing pressure people feel they are under at work. Whereas in the past taking a tea break was seen as a valuable social activity in the office, it is now beginning to be seen as an unnecessary indulgence and waste of productive work time.

"Yet research has indicated time and time again that striking a balance by taking short breaks during the working day increases people’s productivity and creativity. This study shows that 44 per cent of workers feel re-energised after a tea break, and 33 per cent feel more productive.

"The social aspect of the workplace tea break serves to strengthen bonds between co-workers and increase feelings of well-being.

"British businesses need to take heed because this reduction in tea breaks could lead to a decline in harmonious workplace relations, employee satisfaction and an increase in stress related absenteeism and turnover."

Businesses are invited to sign up and help ‘Bring Back The Tea Break’ at tetley.co.uk.

Who Makes the Most Tea?

MAKES THE LEAST TEA ROUNDS: Marketing workers

MAKES THE MOST TEA ROUNDS: Building managers / maintenance workers

ONLY MAKE TEA FOR THEMSELVES: Advertising workers

DRINK THE LEAST TEA: Administration workers

DRINK THE MOST TEA: Advertising

MOST FUSSY DRINKERS: Creative workers

LEAST FUSSY DRINKERS: IT workers

TAKE THE MOST BREAKS: HR workers

TAKE THE LEAST BREAKS: Administration workers

TAKE THE LONGEST BREAK: Building managers/ maintenance workers

TAKE THE SHORTEST BREAKS: Marketing workers

Top Tips for the Tea Break from Honey Langcaster-James

1. Leave your desk for your tea break - sipping a cuppa while ploughing through work does not count as a break! Move away from your work and take the time to enjoy your brew, doing nothing more than perhaps having a non work-related chat with a colleague. This way you’ll feel properly refreshed when you return to your work tasks.
2. No matter how busy you are, make the time for a tea break. Research indicates that taking a break may actually boost your productivity – and the busier you are, the more you need to take a break!
3. A friendly, convivial atmosphere at work is very important for our wellbeing. Making time to take a break with colleagues can help keep relationships positive and strong. Little things count when it comes to office relations: note the attitude with which you deliver your colleague’s cuppa when you are the Tea Maker. The spirit with which it is given has a huge impact. Don’t just hand out the mugs in a perfunctory manner. Deliver them with a smile.
4. Strike a balance between being a Tea Maker and a Tea Taker. If a colleague made the last cuppa then ensure you enthusiastically offer to make the next round, otherwise you may be seen as not pulling your weight.
5. Managers – work on creating a sociable Tea Break culture by showing that you support your staff in taking regular breaks. The easiest way to do this is to simply put the kettle on and offer to make everyone a brew!
6. Some of the most harmonious and jovial offices have developed their own Tea Break traditions. For example, having a Fun Friday where at afternoon tea break someone brings in a short quiz or activity. Little injections of frivolity like this help to create a positive working environment.

Advice for the Perfect Tea Round from Tetley's Master Blender Sebastian Michaelis

1. Tea should be made with boiling water, and only once-boiled water with a low mineral content.
2. For black tea, pour the water as soon as it’s boiled to deliver the best taste.
3. For green tea, allow the kettle to cool for up to two minutes to avoid a bitter taste.
4. For tea bags, add the milk after the water to avoid hindering the infusion process.
5. Leave the tea bag in for at least two minutes to let the flavour of the tea infuse.
6. After removing the tea bag, leave the brew to cool for two minutes for a better quality taste.