Fika: why more companies are introducing Swedish-style coffee breaks

Monday, 30th January 2017, 12:38 pm
Updated Friday, 6th September 2019, 5:48 pm
Workers meet for a traditional Fika in Sweden (Photo: Getty)

Another year, another Scandinavian lifestyle trend.


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Now, it's all about the Swedish idea of fika.

Put simply, fika is a coffee break. It can be used as a noun or a verb, and means to take time out of your day to eat, drink, and most importantly, relax.

It's often practised in Swedish workplaces, and now, UK companies are boiling their kettles, warming their cakes, and following suit.

It's not just a takeaway coffee at your desk

"It's an opportunity to slow down, come together for a face-to-face and interact. It's a cultural thing for us now."

Anna Brones, author of Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break describes the practice as an "important part of Swedish culture".

"In workplaces in Sweden, there's usually a fika break in the morning and afternoon," she explains.

"A lot of places will even have a 'fika room' - essentially a break room. But a coffee break in Sweden isn't just coffee in a takeaway cup consumed in front of the computer; it's a time to step away from work and converse with colleagues."

"I think that helps improve the workplace, because it allows people to check out mentally from work for a few minutes, which allows them to return refreshed. The social aspect is also incredibly important."

It's a cultural thing

Karen Adams, who implemented fika at PR agency Hattrick,  has found that it helps with team building.

"Every Friday at 2pm we get together as a team. It's an opportunity to slow down, come together for a face-to-face and interact. It's a cultural thing for us now."

Sarah Carter, who works for fika-friendly marketing business Social Response, found the same thing. "A lot of people in the office were feeling a bit stressed, and we were all getting a bit sharp with each other."

"We introduced fika as a way of having a moment to relax and talk to your workmates. If people were having external problems, or just stress, someone might pick that up."

Fika is a chance to get together for coffee and a sweet treat (Photo: Creative Commons)

Good for productivity

While fika is good for wellness, it can also help workers to stay focused in the long run.

Studies have shown that taking breaks increases productivity, which is something Carter found to be true.


"Work talk is prohibited in fika. It forces you away from our work so you can reevaluate things and prioritise tasks when you do return."

Helping to drive business

For Hattrick, fika is a way to differentiate their company in the marketplace when contacting prospective clients.

"We say to them, take some time out, considering your marketing for this year, and maybe we can arrange to meet over fika. It's helping to drive business for us."

Carter, too, says that the practice has become ingrained into Social Response's day-to-day life.

"We've actually rewritten some of our brand messaging and worked it into our business plan. It's definitely a permanent structure here."

Workers are encouraged to step away from their desks and take a break (Photo: Creative Commons)

Now, go fika

Brones believes it's an important cultural tradition that should be embraced by the UK. The good news is, it's very easy to implement.

"There is no 'right' way to fika, no right baked good, or no right drink."

