Drinks at work, who pays?

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    We’ve always supplied the facilities and ingredients for all drinks at work (both Office and Production).

    I have no intention to change anything as it's something we’ve done forever, the cost isn’t something that bothers me. Some people I speak to are surprised and have different systems such as you bring a flask or have a drinks 'kitty'.

    Just wondered what you guys do and how you manage drinks at work?
     

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    Tea, Coffee, etc., Cold Drinks too are all provided. 'Drinks' after work also. Sounds a little 'Tight' if staff have to bring flasks.
    Exactly what I though
     
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    BustersDogs

    Free Member
  • Jun 7, 2011
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    Essex
    Always had coffee and tea in the jobs I've had. Drinks after work people paid for their own or got rounds in for whoever was invited. If it was a works do like the Christmas party, then the company paid for the first couple of drinks then we either paid for our own or just sneaked the leftovers from the people who turned up late or not at all. :D
     
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    Lucan Unlordly

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    Feb 24, 2009
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    Worked for a national newspaper in sales. If the department makes £200,000 on Friday we'll take the whole team over to the pub for a drink. Target hit, Friday arrived, 20+ people.
    One small bottle of Beer later the boss shouts, 'ok who's getting the next round in' and she was deadly serious. 3 poverty stricken telesales girls scraped enough change together to buy the bosses a drink.

    It was shameful......I xxxxxx off ?

    So if you are going to supply tea and coffee, do it properly..........decent teabags etc.,
     
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    Nico Albrecht

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    Business Listing
    May 2, 2017
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    Belfast
    data-forensics.co.uk
    Just wondered what you guys do and how you manage drinks at work?
    Simple:

    I provide good coffee ( not that instant crap ) and a good coffee machine plus Tea. Don't care about Tea so staff can pick their choice and I buy it with my weekly shopping.

    A fridge with sparkling water and still water plus space for staff drink is provided. That's it.

    Staff work out as a team how to supply milk and sugar. Don't care about sugar or milk as I dont eat sugar or drink milk.

    I was thinking of supplying some sugar and some milk but waste is down to zero if staff provide that and bring it in. After all it is dirt cheap anyway and people tend not to waste as much when they pay for it.

    Staff is in charge of cleaning up kitchen and unloading the stuff I provide free of charge Monday morning from my car after my weekly shopping.

    Outcome , no wastage and a clean kitchen staff area all the time.

    I was thinking of providing some juice, soda and pops but worried I might get a law suit down the line for causing diabetes or obesity for proving sugar to staff.

    The reality is staff happiness and high turnover is is not related to providing free drinks at work. It's a nice to have but will not increase employee happiness or retention. Money and appreciation does.
     
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    Newchodge

    Moderator
  • Business Listing
    Nov 8, 2012
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    Newcastle
    In some parts of the world Employers do not provide tea and coffee for staff. You also have to provide your own Bog Roll too.
    When I worked in the Netherlands (Late 70's) they provided tea, very very strong coffee (and condensed milk), sugar, water, fruit juice, pop and beer. The beer was only for use during overtime.
     
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    JEREMY HAWKE

    Business Member
  • Business Listing
    Mar 4, 2008
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    EXETER DEVON
    www.jeremyhawkecourier.co.uk
    There's no vat on Jaffa cakes is there?
    Depends on who makes them If I make them using an original Devon variant there would be no Vat
     
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    paulears

    Free Member
    Jan 7, 2015
    5,657
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    Suffolk - UK
    My wife works for the NHS in a big hospital department and she is the mil monitor - she buys the milk and the coffee and teas and people pay into a kitty. They've a restaurant with tea and coffee and of course food. Subsidised. Then they opened it to the public and everyone stopped using it. Sharing tables with patients was not pleasant.
     
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