Death of the tea break: The Brits who only leave their desk to go to t

The traditional tea break is becoming a thing of the past with more than a third of Brits barely leaving their desk during the working day. 

Shocking new research has revealed that 62% of office staff don’t see daylight at all during the working week in the winter months. 

Meanwhile, half admit that the only reason they leave their desk is to go for a loo break, according to the survey conducted by mobile provider Three UK.    

Despite these practices being common, many believe that they have a detrimental effect on mental health with 76% saying breaks have a positive impact on wellbeing at work.

To tackle this and support Brew Monday (today), Three is encouraging bosses to join them and implement a ‘Tea Leave’ initiative where employees are encouraged to take a 30 minute, no-questions-asked break.

Brew Monday is an annual campaign from Three’s charity partner, Samaritans,

which aims to flip the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ on its head in a bid to encourage Brits to break open the biscuits and taboos by having a catch up over a cuppa, whether over the phone of in person. 

Mental health advocate Dr Alex George said: “I know first-hand how easy it is to let the day slip away from you when you’re at work, but making time away from your desk can play a huge role in supporting our mental health. 

“This Brew Monday, I’m teaming up with Three and Samaritans to launch their Tea Leave campaign – a 30-minute wellbeing break to reconnect with others.  

“It’s a brilliant reminder that something as simple as a meaningful chat over a cuppa – whether by phone or face to face – and some fresh air can help us feel more connected and less alone.”

The ‘Tea Leave’ initiative was created after new research found that 70% of British office workers believe stepping outside for a simple tea or coffee break can be the catalyst for the most meaningful conversations they have with their colleagues.

Almost three-quarters (73%) agree these moments of connection play a crucial role in supporting their mental wellbeing at work, more so than dedicated wellbeing spaces (61%) or team building days (55%).

As for what we do during our breaks, 44% plan to get outside more with a fifth using them to respond to texts from friends and family. Around 18% want to make a quick video call to those they love. 

A spokesman from Samaritans said: “We don’t believe that there is any such thing as ‘Blue Monday’. We introduced Brew Monday as a way of encouraging people to check in with each other and remind everyone how good human connection feels.

“It’s often the smallest gestures that make a big difference – and Three’s ‘Tea Leave’ idea is testament to this.”

Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at VodafoneThree, added: “We know this time of year can be challenging for many people, especially 62% of us not seeing daylight during these months. 

“Therefore, we’re championing more positive wellbeing in the workplace, as part of our support for Samaritans and Brew Monday.”

Three, which has raised more than £1 million for Samaritans, is also offering its customers an extra perk this week (January 19 to 25). Three+ members can enjoy two £1 hot drinks across at cafés and coffee shops across the UK. . 

For more information visit Three+ reward app