People in small offices, does your employer pay for tea/coffee or do you chip in?
Posted by Extreme-Banana-9@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 147 comments
Feels like a small thing but says a lot about a workplace
Larrypants1@reddit
We get a decent amount as a medium family business, 20ish people on site. Tea coffee multiple fruit and herbal teas, alt milk, fruit, crisps, chocolate. When the owner's son started he persuaded him to start getting Monsters in!
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Not bad!!
TypicalLobster86@reddit
We have two baristas who are there from 8am til 4pm, full coffee shop setup and not chargeable. This came in after covid as a clear ploy to get people back in the office. Doesn’t quite make up for my £70 a day train ticket.
BallsDeepInBoris@reddit
£70 a day 💀 Just give up at that point bro
TypicalLobster86@reddit
I basically have. I go in once a month at most and they’ve given up telling me I need to be there twice a week.
No_Pea-1@reddit
Why is it so expensive? Do you work far away from home?
TypicalLobster86@reddit
It’s a 65 minute train journey into London. No tubes.
imtravelingalone@reddit
There is no way a cheaper ticket isn't available. Maybe if you're buying a peak time open return on the day of travel, but if you planned out your schedule a week or two in advance you would absolutely be able to get a better priced ticket. You could find your way from London to Scotland for under £70 if you book a bit in advance.
BallsDeepInBoris@reddit
I don’t blame you, there’s no point even going to work if your spending half your money on travel 😂
Think-Note9366@reddit
Why not take your own flask of coffee? That's what I used to do when I was working.
Dazz316@reddit
I assume that's not 5 days a week? Or you're earning a shitload of money that \~£1400 a month isn't a worry.
I'd have quit. That doesn't make the job even remotely worth it at my salary.
TypicalLobster86@reddit
Nah it’s once a month on average, should be twice a week but they stopped trying that one on me long ago. It would also be a lot cheaper on a season ticket, about £32 a day.
gogoluke@reddit
Would it be more truthful to say your £70 monthly travel expenditure!?
TypicalLobster86@reddit
It’s seventy quid every day I go in. Sometimes I have to go in multiple days. So no, it would not be more truthful. The way I stated it is accurate.
gogoluke@reddit
So it's not once a month on average?
Even if we double that to 2 days a month it's less than I pay a month on zone 3. Let's triple it... that's the same as I pay a month on travel...
TypicalLobster86@reddit
I’m really not sure what point you’re trying to make here, or why.
gogoluke@reddit
I think it's disingenuous to say £70 a day as a sob story when that happens by your own admission once a month. That's negligible outlay for commuting and you WFH mostly.
Sea_Wasabi_2334@reddit
My guy, you are really projecting here….
gogoluke@reddit
No. I just don't feel internet sad for him.
teerbigear@reddit
The £70 is in reference to having the coffee. He can't have the free coffee on the days he's not in can he?
TypicalLobster86@reddit
I feel like the point has sailed over your head completely. I’m saying that a nicely made coffee doesn’t make up for a long and expensive journey. That’s why I don’t do it. This was a throwaway commentary on “return to office” culture. There is no sob story here.
sock_cooker@reddit
Imagine having so completely failed at life that you're reduced to trying to win such ridiculous arguments on the Internet
funfun151@reddit
You know what that means? That means you win.
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
OP asked about small companies. You've got 2 full time baristas at a small company?
takesthebiscuit@reddit
We have about 20 full bean to cup machines dotted about the company, none is more than 30 seconds walk from an amazing brew.
All double banked so little/no wait time
Think-Note9366@reddit
Why not take your own flask of coffee? That's what I used to do when I was working.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I live up north, couldn't imagine spending that amount a day on anything let alone a commute!
imtravelingalone@reddit
What do you mean by chip in? The last thing I will ever do on this earth is spend my own money on supplies for a communal coffee pot in an office. If your employer is that fucking cheap, get rid of the office space and let everyone work from home and deal with their own coffee situation.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Exactly!! Unfortunately I and a few others in this thread have to chip in, ridiculous
DisneyBounder@reddit
In my small office tea and coffee were just part of the stationery order. When I worked in a bigger office we had free coffee machines and a subsidised Starbucks on site.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Lovely!
Silent-Tea4500@reddit
Tea and instant coffee is paid for by work, but me and another colleauge bring our own beans and aeropress from home
TimeTimeClock@reddit
Our department has an honesty box where people pay for tea and coffee. We aren't even small-we're top 20 in the Guardian university rankings.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Thats a brilliant idea
TimeTimeClock@reddit
What! No it isn't! Why isn't the workplace providing tea and coffee! Most of us already work well over typical full time hours.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I mean in my tiny team it’d probably just guilt the other three into finally contributing
sjw_7@reddit
Everywhere I have worked in the last 15+ years has provided teas and coffees. This is at small companies with just a few people up to large ones with tens of thousands.
Its probably the most basic staff perk they can do that keeps the office ticking over nicely.
daco_star@reddit
All non-alcoholic drinks are provided.
Basic snacks (crisps, biscuits, sweets, little choccies, protein bars, fruit) provided too.
Healthy breakfast snacks in the mornings (danishes, donuts, etc).
Ice cream on Wednesdays in summer, cake on Wednesdays in winter.
American based multinational.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Love that. Are there any vacancies, lol
sock_cooker@reddit
I can just picture the interview
"So, Mr Banana, why do you want to work for American Megalith PLC?"
"Well, I'd heard you get free danishes and ice cream"
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I'd end it with I believe I’d thrive in a fast-paced, pastry rich environment
daco_star@reddit
Let me check the postings and I’ll DM you.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Cheers!
cbawiththismalarky@reddit
i pay for the coffee, tea and milk for my 20 or so employees, and we get what i drink at home, except one of the guys doesn't like "strong" coffee so i bought him a big tin of nescafe so that he can make his coloured water
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Very kind of you to pay for the refreshments for your 20+. How much does it set you back?
wandergirl92@reddit
We have a nespresso machine with pod supply and some loose coffee for caffetiere.
Oh we also have a beer tap but obv that is only used after work haha
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Very nice!!
SpudFire@reddit
When I first started we chipped in a quid a week. Company was coming off the back of legal dispute so the company finances weren't in the best shape. After a couple of years the tea money was scrapped and the company pays for it all now.
I think chipping in was more trouble than it was worth in the end. Most people didn't have a pound coin on them, you'd get people trying to give a tenner to cover the last 2 weeks they'd not been able to pay and then the next 8 weeks. The lady that handled it had to have a spreadsheet to keep track of it all.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Good to hear the company pays for it now, much easier less hassle
Surreywinter@reddit
Yes Multiple tea options Ridiculously sophisticated coffee machines Free soft drinks in meeting rooms Fresh fruit provided daily
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Extremely jealous
Chordsy@reddit
I can't drink the shit coffee they provide and I don't like normal tea, so I bring my own azera and Chai into the office.
I use the milk though
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Sounds nice, do the others try and use your supply?
Chordsy@reddit
I have offered a chai teabag to a few colleagues, but they didn't like the smell. No worries, more for me!
I got my MIL into the chai tea, and she loves it, but I love her to bits so she is welcome to all of my tea should she want it.
The azera is a secret stash though, it's my favourite coffee and I will gouge out eyes if someone were to touch it 🤣
SchoolForSedition@reddit
We have an illegal kettle bought by a senior colleague in the print room’.
Major international organisation and the building has won a prize but not for having a sensible electrical system (few sockets, wires EVERYWHERE) or functional heating and its construction is a huge fire hazard, though the fire staff are great.
Alwayslisteningin@reddit
Will somebody please think of us that don't drink tea or coffee. Bottle of squash will do lovely thanks!
signpostlake@reddit
The last office I worked at had squash available for everyone in the kitchen with all the tea/coffee supplies
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Of course, squash and free fruit?!
redlorryyellowlorry9@reddit
Yeah we get free squash and fruit, as well as the tea and coffee. As someone who doesn’t drink hot drinks, I do appreciate the free squash!
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
That sounds lovely and fair!
hocfutuis@reddit
They do, but if you want anything special, you bring your own in. We're a very small team, so usually just say everyone can help themselves if we do though.
Frank_Fhurter@reddit
everything must be going great if were arguing about who buys the tea
AlternativeAd1984@reddit
No, and not only that but they took away our tearoom to turn it into an office for someone who works onsite once every now and then and wfh the rest of the time
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Thats ridiculous, reminds me of my old workplace
fannyabdabs@reddit
Ex NHS here. I'd been bleeped to come and do a post-take review of a patient in ED. Made myself a cup of tea in the kitchen and took a biscuit. Got reported by a nurse because it was for patients only and I hadn't contributed to the department tea/coffee fund. Single cup of tea and a packet of two digestives, 10 hours into my shift and was the first bit of any food/drink I'd had since my coffee on waking.
Mental culture but also mental that staff didn't get any. Was a few years back tho so maybe it's changed.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
That’s genuinely ridiculous. Reporting someone over tea and two biscuits after a 10-hour shift just shows how broken that kind of workplace culture is, that nurse that reported you is very cruel
Enough-Ad3818@reddit
Not changed from u/fannyabdabs experience I'm afraid. I'm current NHS staff and you don't get anything provided at all.
Maybe some Trusts are different, but mine require you to bring your own, or buy what you want. There's nothing given.
Sometimes, the older CSWs would slip me some Crawfords Shortcake, and that was always appreciated, but they weren't supposed to do that, and could have got into trouble for doing so.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
It’s interesting how something as basic as tea/coffee becomes a postcode lottery in NHS culture
fannyabdabs@reddit
Ah you know it's a tough job, everyone's working their hardest for not much money and the moral injury and emotional labour results in that kind of behaviour. I was always shocked at how poorly new junior docs are treated by other staff on their first placements etc. Lots of tiny little ecosystems all within a larger one, with some being nicer (i.e. providing tea/coffee etc) than others.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
That’s a good way of putting it. It’s interesting how those micro cultures form within the same system some supportive, some oddly punitive
Hughdungusmungus@reddit
Our coffee machine and service contract was something like £18k for our office. If you lose your staff for 15-30 mins while they pop to Pret, Nero, Costa etc that's time that could be charged to clients at 200-1000 per hour.
You've already made the money back within a few days.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
People see £18k and think it’s expensive, but ignore the daily loss of billable hours. It pays for itself faster than most office upgrades
Hughdungusmungus@reddit
Yea. First thoughts are 'fuck me, that's a decent car' but purely on the billables it's a no brainer and staff save that £3+ each time they want a coffee.
Spiritual_Let2916@reddit
Unlimited hot drinks (we got a coffee machine, some different teas), soft drinks & daily credit for food delivery for breakfast and lunch.
I'm not going to lie - I am saving a lot on food!
My office is small (10ish), but they got similar benefits in the big offices overseas.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I would absolutely love to work at your office!!
Spiritual_Let2916@reddit
Corporate jobs come with their own issues, but it's probably the first job i've ever had where i really like people I work with in the office - also the perks make everything a lot more fun!
DukeofMemeborough@reddit
My work has free coffee machines, and also a chargeable coffee shop which serves nicer coffee. The shop is subsidised so it’s still very cheap compared to the high street.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Do you use the machine or the coffee shop?
DukeofMemeborough@reddit
I usually get a coffee from the shop first thing, and then use the machine later in the day.
angry_stitcher@reddit
Current Job, very small company yep coffee tea milk sugar provided. We also have a pod machine for coffee and pods are provided.
Previous job for a large telecoms company not a freaking chance they'd pay for this stuff. People used to run a kitty but it can militant when people who didnt pay used the community stuff. I just steered clear and brought all my own!
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Love that the pods are provided too!
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Milk in the fridge, basic coffee machine, tea bags, sugar, seems like the most absolute basic. What do they offer visitors if this isn't provided?
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
We're a small team of 4, when a client comes in I'm expected to go get posh coffee and biscuits, out of my own pocket, no mention of reimbursing me, I'm a month in to the job so will have to have a word if it happens once more
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Yeah that isn't on. Frame it as a positive thing for them to provide as what if you can't get out to buy biscuits, as well as it not being fair for you to pay the bill for it too of course. I'd get the cheapest possible for both if that was the case.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Yeah I agree, it shouldn’t really be on employees to cover. I don’t mind helping out, but there should at least be a budget or reimbursement in place even if theres only 4 of us!
RetroRegretso@reddit
We all have to chip in. I don't have tea or coffee or cow milk. I used to contribute anyway but now I've stopped as I never get anything, I'm seen as selfish.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Not selfish, fair to step back if you’re not actually using any of it. If anything it makes more sense to contribute based on what you actually use rather than just out of habit
RetroRegretso@reddit
You try telling them that. I actually would prefer a situation where we all chip in equally but I resented having to pay for cow milk after finding out the horrors they go through to produce it.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Same, I switched to plant based milk 8 years ago now
yearsofpractice@reddit
I work for a multinational that has small offices around the country. I work in one of said small offices. The company provide teabags, instant coffee, kettle, fridge and mugs. No milk.
I, therefore, provided a cheap filter coffee machine (£25) and my own ground coffee and milk.
Makes work seem civilised.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
They provide everything but milk, daft
IranianAlan@reddit
Seriously this is not a joke, There was once a council in the offices told people to stop doing kittys for tea because its taxable by HMRC, so the idea was all the people in the office chip in a quid a week that covers everything but there ended up being a surpless in the tin over time so the council said they had been advised to not allow it to stop any confusion.
NoExperience9717@reddit
I mean that's nonsense as basic refreshments in the office (tea/coffee) are not a benefit in kind. It's just the public sector not doing what the vast majority of places provide which is some instant coffee and teabags or maybe a coffee machine.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Mental
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
I pay for a coffee machine, tea, hot chocolate for our office.
Though I offer full flexibility for our employees, who don't live especially near the office, so they choose to come in quite sparingly.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
A coffee machine is the dream at mine!
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
Yeah I try not to drink too much caffeine so one cup a day usually.
Have a small fridge with soft drinks, ice, etc.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Does the machine have a decaf selection?
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
I could buy decaf pods yeah. I'm not fussed personally though I suppose the employees might like them and they've just happened to have not mentioned it so maybe I should get some.
desertcanyons@reddit
My office pays for that weapons-grade Nescafe instant shite that tastes like burnt gravel. They also have Taylors of Harrogate in though so not too bad.
The office has a couple of cafetieres and I always by a bag of ground coffee for the week that anyone is welcome to. Cannot abide the instant stuff, it's just foul.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Instant is definitely foul and its nice that you share your ground coffee, very kind
WGSMA@reddit
I’ve never understood why offices wouldn’t want their workforce using legal stimulants throughout the day…
SgtBukkakeMan@reddit
We already get the loons at Taxpayers Alliance sending us FOI requests about tea and biscuits during meetings. Imagine the stink if council staff got free tea and coffee.
takesthebiscuit@reddit
I wish that some of the FOI could be Fuck off idiot!
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Haha
moofacemoo@reddit
Agreed.....and yet my absolute tosspot of an ex-boss lamented how much he was spending every month on coffee just after he stepped out of his 'other' Bentley.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
The cheek of that bentley tosspot
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Honestly it doesnt make sense to me at all, its something so small but makes a big difference to a work day
TobblyWobbly@reddit
That just took me back to my summer holidays job in 1990. I worked housekeeping for a small hotel, and the owner would make us tea and toast at break time. Nowhere else has ever funded it, but I have spent most of my working life in the public or third sector.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
The free toast would be the reason I'd come into work
TobblyWobbly@reddit
It was so good. We got the same toast and butter that the guests were given.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Sounds too good
LuckyNV@reddit
Tea coffee milk (semi, full fat) all provided, we can make special requests like soya or oat milks. Snacks, biscuits, fruit too (mostly all gone in 1-2 days though)
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Sounds like a decent workkplace
muppsyton@reddit
I've worked in a startup that for the first few months we just took turns popping to the shop because the bother of administration wasn't worth it.
As we got a bit larger and had people on different wages etc. we had a moment where we decided to come up with a process and fund it centrally. Was weirdly a bit sad because we suddenly moved from doing whatever to having "policies" and "processes" though saved £10 every couple of weeks.
Tom22174@reddit
Haha, i work in a big office and the employer doesn't provide coffee either
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Says a lot tbh
UniquePotato@reddit
When I was in a smaller office of about 50 people we all contributed £1 a week that would cover everything including cups and dishwasher, but some people started taking the piss with it by taking tea bags home and filling huge drinks flasks for ‘the drive home’. so work scrapped it and people had to bring their own
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Serves those idiots right but screwed the decent ones
sheepandlambs@reddit
I work for a large international company with out office having capacity for about 200 people. We get tea and coffee facilities all provided, plus fruit deliveries twice weekly.
But I know what we charge cliente, so we can damn well afford it. I can see why a small company or public sector wouldn't want to.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Thats lovely, very different to my situation we're a small team of 4 and I'm the only female, it seems when I bring my coffee and milk in everyone else thinks they can use it too
buginarugsnug@reddit
We get coffee, tea, milk and sugar provided. We also get biscuits or chocolates once a month.
12 people.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Love that!
buginarugsnug@reddit
The old boss used to give us bottles of wine at Christmas and on your birthday but they don't do that anymore.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Cost cutters
Jezbod@reddit
We have varied taste in coffee, so supply our own.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I see, do you share your coffee out?
Jezbod@reddit
No, one like decaf, the weirdo.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Definitely
Hippyadam@reddit
There's only a few of us but the business buys everything. Including biscuits.
Subsistence is a legitimate business expense.
TinksLudo@reddit
Neither, we all bring in individual tea/coffee, some teams do tea/coffee funds but there are only 4 of us and we all drink different stuff so bring in individual. Have to bring in milk too! (University)
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
I have to bring my own milk too, but the others seem to use it without be noticing.. but I notice
stuaird1977@reddit
We have a full subsidised restaurant, a Costa coffee is 35p or you can bring your own coffee in as we have fridges etc
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Jealous
Total_Rules@reddit
Free tea and coffee everywhere I’ve worked. Private sector.
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Love that!
EyeofAv8@reddit
Used to work in an office of 25 or so. Everyone who drank tea/coffee used to have to chip in to a fund to buy milk, coffee, tea bags etc. this was for a company turning over hundreds of millions a year in the luxury sector..
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Mental, shows how little they care for their workforce
Goblin_Nuts69@reddit
Everywhere I have worked we have had tea and coffee and milk provided free, at one place we had coffee e machines and cookies at current place we get free fruit. I always take the left over bits which are a bit tired as well and make smoothies at home with them
Extreme-Banana-9@reddit (OP)
Free fruit, wish my workplace provided that tbh
romeo__golf@reddit
Yes. We have company cards and there's no quibbles or issues with anyone popping out to buy milk/tea bags/coffee as required, we also usually have squash, biscuits and sparkling water available. If someone says "anyone want a proper coffee from downstairs?" there's also never any issue using a company card to go down to the coffee shop and get a round for the team.
There are 21 employees, around 16 of which are based in the office. 3 have been with the company more than 30 years; a further 8 more than a decade.
Shahrukh_Faridi@reddit
I no longer work in a small company but when I did I know that staff chipped in for tea and coffee.
ChanceHovercraft1754@reddit
bog standard stuff provided, any speciality things like different teas, milks, decaff etc were for the employees to organize amongst themselves ( have their own, chip in and share, rota etc)
Owner would of absolutely considered stocking decaff or alternative milks or teas etc if there was a decent demand from the majority of staff though, and knowing he was open to that probably mattered more than what was actually stocked.
AdApart5035@reddit
We pay for our own.
ashyboi5000@reddit
Small offices provided, large have to supply own.
FelicityFemboy@reddit
It's always been provided
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