Should My Company Cover Tea and Snack Costs for Employees? Seeking Advice

Dear Friends, Our company is an IT training and development company with around 10 employees, five of whom are students. I have requested that the company provide tea/snack facilities during break times at the company's expense. However, my boss insists that employees should cover their own tea expenses.

I am seeking clarification on whether there is a company policy regarding tea expenses being covered. This information would help me make a recommendation to my boss to consider covering these expenses. Please advise.

Thank you.

"Certainly! Here is the corrected version of the user's input:

'Yes, the boss says employees should take care of all the tea expenses. That is why I need some rules or laws so that I can quote him and insist on this.'"

There is no rule regarding tea or coffee being provided by the employer. It is simply a concern shown by the management. I don't think you can do much here.

Hi Senthil, there are many small firms in India where there is often a bias regarding which expenses should be borne by the employer and which by the employees. If there are 10 employees, it does not matter if 50% of them are students; ultimately, they are working for the company. Therefore, it is the duty of the company to provide facilities such as tea or coffee twice a day.

Regards,
Shreya Parikh
(HR)

Dear Friends,

Ours is an IT Training and development company. We have about 10 people working, with 5 of them being students. I have requested my boss that the company should provide tea/snacks facility at break times at the company's expense. However, my boss insists that the employees have to bear the expense.

Clarification Needed on Tea Expenses

Is there a rule that dictates the company should cover tea expenses? I would like to recommend to my boss to take care of those expenses. Please advise.

Your post is confusing. In one line, you mention that the facility is at the company's expense, and then you discuss employees bearing the expense. Which is it?

Providing tea and coffee for 10 employees surely would not be a burdensome expense for your company. Of course, you would need to provide cups, etc., or ask employees to bring their own cup.

The easiest way is to offer just one type of coffee and one type of tea, and perhaps one simple snack. If anyone wants anything different, then they must provide it themselves. Inform employees that supplies are limited to fair usage, and once the weekly ration has been used, that's it. This should help avoid wastage and excessive usage.

If it is at the employee's expense, consider collecting a small amount weekly from each employee to cover the cost of purchasing supplies. You also need a roster for each employee to take turns ensuring the kitchen area is kept clean and tidy.

Regards.

Providing tea/snacks is not a law. It is a caring gesture of the employer towards their employees.