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British workers believe that a return of the venerable institution that is the afternoon tea trolley would make them more motivated in their jobs.

A survey of more than 1,000 office workers revealed that many miss traditional aspects of the working day in years gone by.

In particular, 26 per cent say that the tea lady – complete with a trolley loaded with tea and cakes - should make a return to British workplaces in the afternoons, as was the tradition in the 1980s and 1990s.

Many of those questioned also called for the revival of other traditions, including 39 per cent who wanted the full-hour lunch break to make a revival and 33 per cent who wanted an annual work outing.

Having a subsidised canteen, lengthy pub lunches and a sandwich man or lady would also be welcomed back into offices, according to the respondents, but 94 per cent would not want to see smoking reintroduced.

Some 59 per cent claimed that welcome additions to the working day would make their office more sociable, 55 per cent said it would be more relaxed and 28 per cent claimed to be more motivated when the tea lady was around.

On the other hand, 61 per cent say that long working hours is a modern-day work phenomenon they would be happy to see the back of.

Half also want rid of the trend to eat lunch at the desk, 38 per cent would rather do without so-called team-bonding days and a third do not like the move towards open-plan offices in 21st century workplaces.

The survey was conducted by recruitment agency Office Angels and managing director David Clubb said it should be taken notice of by employers.

"Office traditions will inevitably change and develop over time, with the different demands placed on staff and their working situations," he said.

"However, while the current office environment is very technology driven and fast paced this doesn’t have to mean soulless or unfriendly. Employees should be encouraged to interact with each other and could even create their own 'traditions', such as team lunches or a 3pm tea break."

The findings are the result of questions posed to 1,067 office workers in June this year.