Benefits December 7, 2007

Coffee Breaks Help Get Through the Day

December 7, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.COM) - Having a coffee break or two plays an important role in getting many people through their work day, according to a new survey.
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A news release from theCareerBuilder Web site said 49% of workers take a coffee break at least once, while 32% head to the coffee machine at least two times each workday.

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But the survey found that people are taking the opportunity presented by their caffeine breaks to do a lot of other unusual things (ranked by CareerBuilder):

1. Proposed marriage

2. Judged a “Best Legs” contest

3. Shrink wrapped a co-worker’s new car

4. Did step aerobics by his cubicle

5. Left the office to chase a weasel outside

6. Had a burping contest

7. Ran a race in a wedding dress

8. Kissed another employee in the stairwell

9. Did a fast re-enactment of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”

10. Walked a new-born turkey around the building

Only 15% of respondents said they looked for another job while getting more coffee. When broken down by industry, banking and finance workers are the most likely to search for a job during their coffee breaks at 29%, followed by health care at 21%.

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 5,600 U.S. employees (employed full-time; not self-employed; with no involvement in hiring decisions) ages 18 and over between June 1 and June 13, 2007.

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