The typical British employee can expect to spend more than £14,000 during their working life on the daily costs of being in the office, including tea runs and leaving gifts for colleagues, according to research.
A survey of 2,000 office workers across the UK found that the combined cost of Christmas parties and dinners, cards and presents, coffees and teas, sponsorship requests and secret Santa totaled more than £350 a year.
The research, commissioned by Nationwide Current Account, didn’t include lunches or travel, meaning the true cost of office life is much higher.
Overall, more than a quarter of people surveyed said they felt pressured when it came to contributing towards birthday and leaving gifts.
Nearly a third said they felt pressured into contributing money to help their colleagues’ charity fundraising efforts.
Alan Oliver, Nationwide’s Head of External Affairs, said:
“Working in an office can be an expensive business, especially in big teams. While most people value the camaraderie of working in a team, birthdays, retirements and charity fundraisers can take their toll on our wallets and purses.
“We would recommend putting in only what you can afford. Developing a regular savings habit can also help in meeting many of life’s financial challenges.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
