>> British workers are risking their wellbeing by failing to take proper tea breaks, according to new research.

Two thirds of the UK workforce are potentially damaging their productivity levels as only a third of people manage to take a proper tea break. A study of 2,000 British workers, commissioned by Tetley, examined the nation’s approach to tea breaks and found that:

• 44% of those studied said they are too busy at work to take tea breaks
• A quarter of British workers believe that they aren’t allowed tea breaks
• One in five say they take fewer tea breaks in a typical day than fifififive years ago
• 20% say they don’t take a tea break in case their bosses think they are slacking
• Employees often wait until lunch for a brew, with over 15% of lunches in the workplace paired with tea

In response to the research findings, 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.

Isabelle Haynes, senior brand manager, OOH at Tetley, comments: “The power of a quality cup of tea has long been a source of rejuvenation for Britain’s workforce and the tea break is integral in the workplace. An estimated 12.3billion cups of tea are consumed annually across the UK.Whether employees escape to the staff canteen for a calming brew, or spend 10 minutes in a café in between meetings, taking time out to properly break fromwork and recharge is important and can have a beneficial effect for businesses and employees alike.”

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

STA-TEA-STICS

According to the UK Tea and Infusions Society:

• 80% of office workers say they find out more about what’s going on at work over a cup of tea than any other way
• Tea contains half the amount of caffeine found in coffee
• The number of recommended cups of tea to drink each day is 4, this gives you optimal benefit
• Tea is a natural source of fluoride that can help protect against tooth decay and gum disease
• Tea firstly appeared in Europe thanks to Portuguese Jesuit Father Jasper de Cruz in 1560
• Tea has potential health maintenance benefits in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention
• 96% of all cups of tea drunk daily in the UK are brewed from tea bags
• 98% of people take their tea with milk, but only 30% take sugar in tea