Has the nation’s tea break run out of steam? Three UK inspires the nation to put the kettle on and connect this Brew Monday

• The Great British tea break is dying out with research revealing almost half of workers hardly ever share brews with their colleagues
• This Brew Monday, 20^th January, Three UK and Samaritans encourage the nation to ‘Take Three’ and use the time it takes to brew a cuppa to check in and connect with someone, whether that’s over the phone or face to face

Three UK has revealed that the workplace tea break is under threat, as research shows nearly half (43%) of workers hardly ever share brews with their colleagues and are missing out on a chance to connect with others.

First introduced in the 18^th century, morning and afternoon tea breaks gained popularity to help break up long workdays and improve productivity. Although 5 years ago UK workers averaged one tea break per day with workmates, it’s clear the tradition is dying out, with almost two thirds (63%) stating they’ve seen a decline in colleagues sharing cuppas. Brits admit that increased workload (60%), changes in workplace culture (49%) and the rise in hybrid working (37%) are the top three reasons behind the tea break’s decline.

The research unveiled a bigger ‘tea-gap’ with a new generation of workers, as almost a quarter (23%) of Gen Z said they’ve never offered to make a brew for a colleague, and a fifth (20%) admitted they’d be shocked if someone scheduled time for a tea break.

This January, Three has teamed up with its charity partner Samaritans to bring back the Great British tea break, encouraging everyone to ‘Take Three’ and reconnect for the charity’s annual Brew Monday on 20^th January. The initiative aims to remind the nation that there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ and people can have a brew, chat and listen to one another any day. Using the three minutes it takes to brew a drink, ‘Take Three’ invites the nation to check in and connect with someone, whether over the phone or in person – after three-quarters (79%) of respondents said that a quick chat with a friend or colleague can help to improve their mood at work.

Supporting Brew Monday, workplace psychologist Dr Audrey Tang, said: “Using a micro-break to connect with someone during the day can bring a whole host of benefits. If you Take Three for a quick chat, whether that’s in person with a colleague, a video call with a friend, or sending an ‘I’m thinking of you’ message, it can have a positive effect on your mental health and well-being, and stress levels. As two thirds (62%) of the nation want to connect more with their colleagues, Brew Monday is a good reminder to listen and support one another.”

Outside of chats with workmates, three-quarters (74%) of people use their phones to stay connected with friends and family throughout the day. The nation reported they felt happier after sharing a joke with a colleague (52%), messaging a friend to check in (41%) or video calling a family member (22%.)

The survey, commissioned by Three, the UK’s Fastest 5G Network, for Brew Monday, revealed that workers are feeling increasingly disconnected from their colleagues, with 45% saying they have fewer friends at work than they did five years ago. Overall, 62% expressed a desire to connect more with colleagues, with 59% believing their working life would be more enjoyable if they knew their coworkers better.

Aislinn O’Connor, Marketing Director at Three UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be working with Samaritans, to highlight the importance of connecting with friends, colleagues and loved ones this Brew Monday. Through our ‘Take Three’ initiative, we are empowering everyone to reclaim the tea break and check-in with others – whether that’s by phone or in person. Plus, as an extra special Three+ reward, our customers can enjoy two-for-one on teas at Caffè Nero – a perfect excuse to reconnect over a cuppa.”

Sonya Trivedy, Executive Director of External Engagement from Samaritans said: “People can struggle any day of the year and having someone take the time to have a brew and a chat can make a world of difference. The decline of the workplace tea break means these essential moments of human connection are being lost so we hope this Brew Monday, with the help of Three, people remember to take the time to check in with each other every day.”

For the ninth year on 20^th January, the Samaritans flips the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ on its head with Brew Monday, in a bid to encourage Brits to check in and chat with each other. The charity and Three want to remind people that feeling low isn’t just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January. Checking in with a workmate, friend or family member during a tea break is a simple gesture that could help, any time.

Three customers can get an extra perk this month and enjoy a chat and a cuppa, thanks to the mobile network. Three+ members can take up the ‘two-for one’ offer on teas at Caffè Nero, available via the Three+ rewards app from 20th-26th January 2025. The Three+ app also rewards customers with lots of big offers on brands such as Uber Eats and Cineworld, as well as access to presales for festivals, music gigs and comedy events.

Survey of 1,500 respondents conducted by 3Gem in Jan 2025.

Full T&C’s for the 2-for-1 teas available on the Three+ app.

Other useful stats:

• 45% of today’s workers would like to have more tea breaks with their workmates.
• Over a quarter (27%) of boomers miss the tea breaks they enjoyed in the past,
• 45% saying they have fewer friends at work than they did five years ago.
• Tea breaks over the years helped the nation build friendships with colleagues (71%), combat stress (59%) and grow relationships with people they didn’t work with directly (52%.)
• More statistics available on request

Five Top Tips To Have Better Connected Conversations This Brew Monday

1. Make it together

Fancy a cuppa after a long meeting? You won’t be alone. Why not make your meetings 25 or 50 minutes long instead and block out the last few minutes to recharge and catch up with someone. Or even add an agenda point at the end – ‘Take Three -Tea break’.

1. Carve out connection time Tea breaks don’t have to be spontaneous — why not pop them in your calendar? Or place a weekly ‘tea break’ reminder to book those catch ups in. Regular breaks build connection and improve focus, even if they’re virtual.
2. A meme a day keeps distance away A quick meme, photo, or message sent directly to a colleague or friend can brighten their day. It’s more personal and a simple way to show you’re thinking of them, whether you’re in the office or working remotely.
3. Unfold your arms (even online) An open posture—like uncrossed arms and leaning slightly forward—shows you’re approachable, while making eye contact can convey the same openness. Online, keep the camera at eye level and look at the lens to show you’re engaged in the chat.
4. Listen like you mean it To make conversations meaningful, ask yourself: does the person need a solution or just someone to listen? Whether it’s a colleague venting about a deadline or a friend sharing their day, asking open-ended questions like, “How do you feel about that?” can deepen the connection.

Relevant news

• Making Connections Matter: Three UK and Samaritans partnership extended until April 2026 – Three Media Centre

About Three

Three launched in 2003 as the UK’s first 3G only network. Today Three is a connectivity company that connects people to people, people to things and things to things and has 10.9 million customers.

Our network today covers 99% of the UK population and we carry 34% of the UK’s mobile data traffic.

Three launched 5G in August 2019, and has been recognised by Ookla as having the UK’s Fastest 5G Network.

Three UK is a proud partner of Samaritans, where it will use the strength of its network and technology to connect 1 million people to emotional support.

Three UK is part of the CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd group of companies which has mobile operations in 11 countries. We employ more than 4,800 people across our offices in Reading and Glasgow and our 297 retail stores.