Workers 'want tea trolley return'

A survey of 1,000 office staff showed a break to buy tea and cakes from a trolley - a regular feature of offices in the past - would help motivate them.

The study for recruitment agency Office Angels suggests many yearn for the working environment of an earlier era.

Others traditions that workers want revived include a subsidised canteen, an annual works outing, and, above all, having a full hour's break for lunch.

Most of those polled complained about the culture of working long hours in the UK and about having to eat lunch at their desk.

Their comments appeared to reflect a growing disenchantment with the modern impersonal workplace.

'Technology driven'

Other main suggestions for boosting morale and productivity were an annual office outing, a subsidised canteen and pub lunches.

David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, said office traditions would inevitably change and develop over time with different demands placed on staff and their working situations.

"However, while the current office environment is very technology-driven and fast-paced this doesn't have to mean soulless or unfriendly," he said.

"Employees should be encouraged to interact with each other and could even create their own 'traditions', such as team lunches or a 3pm tea break."

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