“It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity.”
These are the words of American author and columnist Dave Barry, and if you ask most people in your office if this rings true, you may find that it isn’t far off.
Most people feel they can’t work without coffee, according to the results of a Staples Advantage Canada survey released July 2. The study found that 82% of respondents said they needed coffee to fuel their days and that it put them in a better mood.
A full 96% of those surveyed said they drank coffee or tea regularly at work.
Is there a scientific basis to this? According to a 2005 study by the Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology at Cardiff University in Wales, there is.
This study found that those who consumed higher levels of caffeine reported feeling much more alert throughout the day. Not only that, but their reaction times were faster.
Overall, the Cardiff study found that there were “significant associations” between higher caffeine consumption and fewer cognitive failure and accidents in the workplace – meaning coffee drinkers worked better and more safely.
Not all employers are getting the message. The Staples survey found that almost half of all workplaces do not provide employees with free coffee or tea. On average, in those workplaces without free caffeine supplies, the average worker will leave the office for up to 20 minutes a day to get that fix.
