How to make the transition back to office-based working more smooth with coffee

October 10, 2023

After surviving and thriving under the strict Covid-19 restrictions, the South African workforce is now ready to trade in the WFH approach for a more productive and face-to-face working environment. However, after enjoying the comforts of working from home and creating a functioning work-life balance, it is essential for companies to understand that their workforce will need to have a smooth transition to the office-based way of working. How can they give them that? By starting small, with something as simple as offering employees free coffee with the help of Nestlé Professional.

Some relative benefits of providing free coffee at the office

Here are some benefits of providing free coffee to your workforce…

1. Encourages Socialisation and Breaks: Shared coffee breaks or simply stopping by the coffee machine can lead to spontaneous interactions, discussions, and relationship-building. These unplanned moments can be critical for building a cohesive team and company culture, offering staff an opportunity to engage and get to know one another, bounce ideas off, and share knowledge. Regular coffee breaks can also help improve productivity and creativity among the workforce. Something as small as a quick walk to the coffee station can help spark an idea or clear one's mind.

2. Increased Productivity: For many people, coffee is a stimulant that can help increase concentration and productivity. By offering free coffee, you might boost the overall productivity levels in the office.

3. Cost-Effective: When compared to other potential perks or benefits, offering free coffee is relatively inexpensive. Yet, it's a gesture that can be greatly appreciated by employees, thus boosting morale.

4. Shows Appreciation: Little gestures like providing free coffee can demonstrate to employees that the company cares about their comfort and well-being, leading to increased job satisfaction.

5. Environmental Consideration: If your employees are buying coffee outside and bringing it in disposable cups, offering coffee in the office can reduce waste, provided employees use reusable mugs.

How much staff can potentially save with free coffee

According to stats, a cup of coffee from the cafe averages around R34 (for a cappuccino). If staff members are buying their own coffee and they are working, say, three days a week, it means they will get, on average, 3 cups of coffee a day. This means they could easily spend R306 a week, which amounts to R1224 a month. But if they get free coffee from the office, it costs about R7.52 a cup from the business. According to a recent study, 38.5% of workers say they couldn’t live without coffee, and 60% of workers drink coffee on the job.

Other insights include:

61% of employees take it as a sign their bosses care about them if hot beverages are on hand.
85% of employees also feel that if there is quality coffee on offer, it's a boost to morale and productivity.
82% feel that being able to have coffee at work helps put them in a better mood.

Time is just as important

The average person spends nearly 50 hours a year purchasing beverages at the café during the workday. A survey of 2,000 on-site employees finds that it takes workers about 16 minutes to leave their desks, buy a drink and return. However, with three such trips a week, employees end up losing an entire work week of productivity per year.

This, together with paying for their own coffee is exorbitant considering the employee will also be paying towards their transport costs and food every time they come in - at least give them free coffee.

On valuing sustainability

Sustainability in the workplace is no longer about complying with regulations and avoiding fines; it’s deeply ingrained in countless company cultures and is something employees look out for when looking for employment, too. According to a recent IBM study, 70% of employees find sustainability programs make employers more appealing, and 80% want to help their company reach climate or ESG goals. Sustainability is very important to employees and is an important indicator of employee engagement, retention, performance, and well-being. Employees are attracted to companies that focus on sustainability as part of their business strategy because it gives meaning to the work they do. This can be showcased through your coffee offerings and the absence of disposable mugs, which will save you money and reduce waste.

Final sip

We take pride in offering businesses solutions to serve their customers and workforce with ease. Learn more about the Nestlé Professional promise and our offerings.

Other headlines to consider:

Let your workforce slip into the office with a sip
Staff is coming back to the office, bring them good coffee
Welcome staff back with a wholesome cup of coffee
Make the move from WFH to office-based smooth with coffee
Small acts, big differences in the workplace
Let’s talk: Why a coffee machine will boost your in-office interactions