The traditional 9-5 is no more
Although most people have headed back to the office (at least some of the time) the impact of the pandemic on our working lives has been immense. Just a few years ago, terms such as ‘remote’, ‘flexible’ and ‘hybrid’ were rarely heard when talking about employment, but now they’re commonplace.
In a Europe-wide survey, nearly half of respondents reported office attendance of 40% or lower, although around 90% of companies were aiming for employees to be at the office at least half the time.[1] There’s little doubt that now employees have had a taste of remote and hybrid working there will continue to be demand for it. This new way of working has an effect on office space and how it is used. A report by the McKinsey Global Institute looked at office attendance in major global cities. As of October 2022, in London, office workers spent an average of 3.1 days in the office.[2]
The benefits of being in the office
Interestingly, this 3.1 days a week aligns with the findings of a recent Ipsos Karian and Box study. They took a representative sample of 1,400 full-time UK office workers and found that three days in the office each week is ‘optimal for key aspects of workplace culture and performance.’[3] This time was beneficial to employees and employers, providing opportunities to connect, collaborate and support career development whilst also allowing flexibility to enjoy a positive work/life balance.
When it comes to productivity, 90% of hybrid workers say they feel equally or more productive when working in a hybrid format and 79% of managers share that view.[4] Of course, each individual works better in their own way. Some find being at home enables them to avoid distractions, whilst others prefer the structure of the office. However, an Owl Labs’ State of Hybrid Work 2023 study found that hybrid workers said the office was most productive for meeting new people (54%), managing others (41%) and collaborating (40%). The office was deemed less productive for focusing (23%), meeting deadlines (22%) and thinking creatively (20%).
The same studyfound that 55% of managers believe that their hybrid/remote working employees are also missing out on impromptu or non-formal feedback.[5] Coffee breaks provide the perfect opportunity for such interactions. During the pandemic, ‘virtual’ coffee breaks found their way into our online experience, recognising their value in creating connection. Having coffee on offer in the workplace can bring colleagues together, be it in meetings or more casually. It has been found that better working relationships, and better coffee, make employees feel happier and more productive. In fact, an Oxford University study found that being happy at work results a 13% rise in productivity.[6] A report by the Institute for Employment Studies also stated ‘Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the organisation, perform 20 per cent better than their colleagues and act as advocates of the business.’[7] A Gallup study compared employee engagement levels and found significant differences in business outcomes for top- versus bottom-quartile business units and teams. This included 78% lower absenteeism and 23% higher profitability for those with engaged employees.[8]
A taste for great coffee
Of course, engaging employees takes more than great coffee. But providing quality refreshments is one of the ways in which companies can make their workforce feel valued. The demand for quality coffee has risen, with a Statista report into the European hot drinks market stating ‘Coffee has experienced year-on-year increases in revenue as consumers become more interested in premium products’.[9]
Consumers are becoming more adventurous with their coffee choices. Europe accounts for 30% of the global specialty market[10] and our own ‘Lattenomics’ report found that over a third of UK consumers customise their milk choice in their coffee and that 40% like to add a flavour syrup (although syrups are far more popular with younger drinkers, 34% Gen Z vs 5.3% over 55s).[11] This increased demand for quality coffee filters through to what’s expected in the office. Some employers have introduced better coffee options, alongside improved office designs, to lure employees back to the office with what has been referred to as ‘office peacocking.’
Flexible coffee solutions that meet your office’s needs
So what does the current working situation and quality coffee expectations mean for the office? Offices should consider offering a better coffee experience that employees can get at home, to entice them into the workplace and create a more positive environment once they’re there. This can support engagement and improve productivity. Yet the office space of today and tomorrow may be smaller and used less regularly. How employees use the office varies, so you need a coffee solution that can adapt to the diverse needs of your employees.
Costa Coffee Professional has developed a range of coffee machines that meet the different requirements of various office spaces. The Podio X3 provides immense flexibility for workspaces with hybrid policies, whilst still ensuring a great range of drinks that are popular with employees, clients and visitors either via a served or self-served use case. It allows you to offer familiar beverages with the reassurance of Costa quality, including Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Cortado, Macchiato, Hot Chocolate, Filter, Café Crema, and Lungo. Yet it's also incredibly easy to use and maintain. It is also elegantly designed to fit seamlessly with any office environment.
The machine has an intuitive interface and is simple to operate. This can be particularly useful when people are using the machines less regularly. As many workplaces have become more relaxed and informal, receptionist roles have changed. In the UK, the number of employed receptionists has fallen by 11% since 2021.[12] Traditionally, the receptionist may have been responsible for serving up the drinks but today it’s far more commonplace for those involved in the meeting to take on that role.
At Costa Coffee Professional, we also understand that greater sustainability is an increasingly important objective for businesses. When it comes to the environment, we’re finding ways to work with and support farmers in sustainable operations that look after their livelihoods too. Our Roastery, opened in 2017, was the first roasting facility to achieve the BREEAM Outstanding sustainability certification. Through our Costa Foundation, we find ways to make things better for people and communities all around the world too. In 2022, the Costa Foundation celebrated building 100 schools, changing the life stories of 100,000 children.
Your office coffee solution should work for you
However the workplace landscape finally settles, the way we use the office is unlikely to return to the traditional 9-5. Flexibility isn ’t only good for employers but is profitable for business too. A Business in the Community study reported that companies offering flexible working see gains in productivity and retention whilst lowering absenteeism and real estate costs, with business gains of up to 20% of their annual payroll costs.[13]
The growth in demand for quality coffee also shows no signs of slowing. A Statista report projects that the UK coffee market will grow by 2.68% from 2024–2029[14] and, among non-alcoholic beverages, coffee is predicted to grow faster in the next five years than any other.[15] Offering quality coffee in the workplace will only become more important to employees and be part of their office experience.
By having efficient machines, operation and maintenance support and commercially flexible coffee solutions, companies can offer exceptional quality coffee without worrying about training or maintenance. Costa Coffee Professional offers tailored end-to-end coffee solutions that work with the flexibility of their workforce. And that’s something both employers and employees can enjoy.