Tea breaks and the rise in productivity at the office

A high-octane, high-pressure, 9-to-5 job, wrought with rivalry and competition can burn employees out sooner than soon. Unfortunately, that is what most workplaces nowadays look like, and managers and employers must know how to break the tension from time to time and bring some team spirit and warmth into the atmosphere. They do this by luring employees into the pantry with cake, a creamy sugar bomb that gives people an instant spurt of happiness.

Associated with jolly occasions and milestones such as birthdays and weddings, a cake is an important addition to celebrations and get-togethers and can lend a competitive office space some cheer. A study conducted in the UK found that about 83 per cent of office-goers felt that having some cakes in the office pantry from time to time helped cut the tension and bring in employees from different departments in one room for conversation.

Having an informal space in which to reconnect with colleagues can act as a mood booster and enough research has shown that those who eat together show higher levels of co-operation, performance levels, and trust in each other.

Of course, one cannot discount the health negatives associated with the cake culture at work. Research suggests that a third of all office employees stand to gain weight due to excessive sugar consumption, while for a 59 per cent of the employees, the perk makes it difficult to stick to a diet.

As advocates rally for a healthier work environment for employees, there is another psychological concern that questions the value of cake in the pantry too many times a month or for too long in the day.

Imagine a situation where there is cake available all day long in the office pantry, versus one in which the treat is available only for a 30-minute window. In which scenario would the office see its bonds strengthened, and in which, would employees be tempted to seek out their favourite co-workers to grab the dessert at a mutually convenient time?

For a cake to work its magic and bring about feelings of togetherness at work, there need to be more people in at the same time in the pantry. More than that, employees must be given time to look forward to the treat, instead of simply expecting after every few days. This means that the instances need to be surprises, and ones that are given sparingly.

In the end, however, it is important to realise that cake can only make the workplace pleasant, not happy. HR experts emphasise the need for employees to feel engaged and empowered in their jobs at all times in order to put their best foot forward at work. With healthy competition, empathetic leaders and an appropriately rewarding career trajectory, cake need not even be in the picture. On second thoughts, maybe it does!