AUSTRALIAN businesses are losing as much as $1.84 billion a year as employees opt for gourmet, cafe-made coffee over the tearoom instant variety, according to a national recruitment company.
A survey, undertaken by Talent2, revealed some employees spend up to 80 hours a year going out for specialist coffees while at work.
Talent2 national manager Geoff Whytecross said while the costs would be concerning for businesses, bosses should also take note of the message the survey results send.
“Organisations need to balance the time lost from the office with the stimulus that employees gain from leaving the office and changing their environment,” he said.
Of the 700 employees surveyed, a quarter said they left the office at least once a day to buy gourmet coffee. A further 12 per cent bought at least two cups per day, while 7 per cent said they bought three to five specialist coffees each day.
In a working day, 55 per cent of respondent coffee drinkers said it took them less than 10 minutes to get their dose of caffeine, 19 per cent take 10 minutes and 7 per cent take 20 minutes or more.