Once, the office photocopier served as a hub for workplace interaction. The office photocopier was once a place where co-workers would gather, gossip and take short breaks from their busy day. These spontaneous meetings have diminished as digital advances reduced the need to print documents.
Dan Lyon, managing Director of FreshGround, a supplier of barista style coffee for commercial premises, says that the move to digitisation has brought about some key lessons. The coffee machine has become a place where colleagues gather to catch-up, which is more productive than gossip or catching up on the weekend’s big game.
The office environment has changed over the years. New generations have entered the workplace with new ideas and ways of thinking. Social and economic events, such as the Covid Pandemic, have impacted working arrangements. Digitisation, on the other hand, has improved office productivity and given fewer reasons for people to leave their desk.
Many interactions are now only possible via video link. Office photocopiers, for example, are no longer the place where you can say “good morning”, “did you catch the match”, or even, more importantly, “let’s grab a quick coffee and discuss our client’s visit this afternoon”.
In this new environment, employers place more emphasis on results than on micromanaging employees’ every move. Staff are not chained to their desks and are given the freedom to work in a hybrid position. This has led to an office that is much more fluid, with employees meeting on the move and using their time more efficiently.
From the street to the office floor: Social efficiency
This efficiency is what we need to analyze. The advent of flexible and hybrid work arrangements has changed the dynamics in traditional offices. Employees who work from home have more time to interact in person. The coffee machine is a great place for team interaction.
Why coffee? Why coffee? Just walk down any street and you will see how popular coffee shops have become. Not only by the number of them that now populate town centres, but also by their busyness. What did all these coffee lovers do before this? I don’t think they were all drinking copious amounts caffeine at home. Instead, they probably had another social focus.
The UK consumes 98 million cups of coffee every day. For coffee shops, the main differentiator is their accessibility. They also tend to have a welcoming environment and a good product. Social efficiency is the result. In our experience at FreshGround we have seen that high street social efficiencies translate into workplace efficiency when replicating the model and replacing the kettle with a jar instant coffee from the local supermarket.
Statrista’s 2024 study found that 65% of UK consumers drink coffee twice to three times per week, while only 23% don’t. YouGov research from the same year revealed that 78% office workers in the UK consider coffee breaks to be vital for team bonding. 64% also believe that a good cup of coffee can improve their job satisfaction.
Office coffee is proven to boost creativity, productivity and teamwork. Although caffeine is well-known for its ability to increase focus and reduce fatigue, coffee’s benefits go beyond this. It encourages social interaction and sharing of ideas.
Regular breaks improve focus and efficiency. Dr. Wendell C. Taylor’s ‘Booster break’ concept, which he coined in 2010, is still relevant today. It emphasizes the importance of short, organised breaks throughout the day to improve physical and mental health, increase job satisfaction and sustain or enhance work productivity.
Shifting the focus from gossip to collaboration
Coffee breaks are dynamic and deliberate, unlike the line for the photocopier. Like the high-street offering, coffee breaks connect people and contribute to an open culture of communication and collaboration.
Regular breaks are important for both mental and physical health. As the research shows, ignoring breaks can cause fatigue and impaired decision-making. While photocopier conversations were often focused on gossip, the office coffee machine conversation is more collaborative and focuses on brainstorming and solving problems. This encourages inclusivity, interaction, and a positive culture in the office.
The younger generations are showing a preference for smoothies and flavored waters, which reflects their changing tastes and health conscious. However, according to the Stratista Report, 63% of Baby boomers, 58% Gen Xers, 47% Millennials, 36% Gen Z, in the UK, consume coffee on a regular basis.
We have seen this hybrid approach to accommodate the changing focal points and the multi-generational teams that shape office culture, and ultimately the industry. This has been reflected in the managed workspaces, which have gradually replaced or complemented the traditional bricks-and mortar office.
As hybrid working patterns become more common, companies invest in innovative breakout spaces to maintain culture and connect. The evolution of the office has led to the creation of ‘coffee-culture hubs’ where workers can rent environments that are more like a high-street coffee shop than a traditional office.
The need for focal points in the workplace is constant as it continues to change. The coffee machine is now the focal point of the workplace, replacing the photocopier. It fosters collaboration, innovation and creates a positive environment. Companies that offer the “coffee shop” experience support inclusivity, communication, and a more efficient work culture by recognising these informal “meeting places”.
For further information about FreshGround, visit https://freshground.co.uk/
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