Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in Europe and is particularly appreciated at work. That is why a fully automatic coffee machine is available in many companies. But can an employee take a coffee break at work at any time? What exactly is allowed? We’ll enlighten you!
You will also find a detailed guide on the subject of drinking behavior in this blog article. We will show you how the optimal liquid should be beforehand and what risks can occur if you drink too little. We will then give you our tips and tricks for proper drinking habits.
Drinking coffee during working hours: What are employees allowed and not allowed to do?
A coffee in the office is a must for many. On average, around 25,744 cups of coffee are drunk every minute at work throughout Germany, as it has a positive effect on concentration. And of course we like it too.
A short coffee break in between refreshes tired employees and helps them get through a sometimes strenuous working day. Many employees also see a coffee machine in the office as appreciation of their work and are therefore happy to help themselves to the delicious hot drink. But can employees take a longer coffee break at any time?
Coffee regulations in the workplace
According to the Working Hours Act, everyone is entitled to a half-hour break if they work six to nine hours a day. Everything is allowed during this break: Surfing the web privately, chatting with colleagues and sitting comfortably in the office kitchen with a coffee. This is purely a rest period, which should also be used as such. And during the break time you can of course drink as much coffee as you like. However, you should be careful if drinking coffee extends to the time outside of the break, namely during working hours. Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting up briefly during work and taking a coffee to your desk. However, if you stay longer in the coffee kitchen and maybe start a private conversation with a colleague, things look different. In the legal sense, this is a break in which no work is performed. So anyone who inserts longer coffee breaks into their actual working hours runs the risk of a warning or even dismissal.
Drinking behavior in offices
After these somewhat dry facts, let’s move on to something more exciting: ideal drinking behavior.
Have you ever thought about your daily coffee drinking habits at work? Do you often use the fully automatic coffee machine in the office? Pay attention to how many glasses of water or cups of coffee you drink? Have you set a personal goal that you try to achieve every day? Read more about the general drinking behavior in German offices here.
General recommendation for your drinking habits
The human brain consists to a very large extent of water. Therefore, regular hydration is very important. The less we drink, the more we suffer from physical stress. But not only our brain, but also our other organs need liquid to be able to work properly.
A liquid intake of approx. 1.5 to 2 liters per day is recommended for ideal drinking behaviour. Depending on the weather and activity, you may need a little more. But be careful: not all liquids are the same. Water and unsweetened fruit and herbal teas are best. But vegetable and fruit juices can also be drunk without any problems. However, fruit juices are best enjoyed as a spritzer, as they contain a lot of sugar. Black tea and coffee are also allowed in the workplace in moderation. However, you should not go to the fully automatic coffee machine in the office more than four times a day. Lemonades and soft drinks as well as alcoholic beverages should not be included in the daily fluid intake.
If we drink enough liquid, our organs function properly. We are doing well and we can work with concentration.
What are the consequences of improper drinking behavior in the office?
Anyone who does not drink enough liquid quickly suffers from sometimes unpleasant symptoms that can only be alleviated by drinking enough liquid. Our body needs fluid to function properly. The following symptoms can occur with incorrect drinking behavior:
Headaches: Headaches are often one of the first symptoms
Lack of concentration: We are easily distracted and forgetful
Tiredness: We have the feeling that we are not really awake
Circulatory problems: we feel dizzy, it starts spinning
Dry skin, lips, tongue and throat: Our skin is constantly hydrated
If there is a deficiency, the skin and lips become dry, brittle and crack. It may take a few days for the skin and lips to recover. Our throat and tongue feel dry, making it difficult to swallow.