What really makes us late in the morning…

Overslept? Running late for work? Missed breakfast? You’re not alone. New research* shows that many employees still struggle to get up in the morning, with potential consequences for health, working lives, and even integrity!

Hitting the snooze button or pulling the duvet over your head can often result in being late for work, but it seems many employees are reluctant to own up to their bosses about what has really delayed them. The research shows that when late to work through oversleeping, one in three of those surveyed would blame someone or something else, with excuses ranging from disappearing pets and burnt breakfasts, to traffic problems and confusion over what day it is. The younger generation are the worst offenders: four in ten of those aged 16–25 have blamed someone or something else for their tardiness, compared to just one in seven 46–55 year olds. The top excuses, according to the online survey, commissioned to support the Farmhouse Breakfast Week campaign (23-29 Jan 2011), were: – Traffic / transport – My alarm didn’t go off – Bad weather – My car wouldn’t start – My kids were ill – The cat / dog disappeared – Long queues at the coffee shop – I burnt my breakfast – I thought it was the weekend! The survey revealed that 96% of workers set some kind of wake up call, and with the extensive range of alarm clocks to choose from, there really should be no excuse for sleeping in. According to the results, although 25% still use a traditional alarm clock, the most popular choice to stir slumbers is now the mobile phone (60%), with others using a radio or CD player (17%). A few though do rely on partners or children to get them up in the morning. The survey revealed that four in ten respondents had overslept and missed breakfast at some point during the working week, with one in seven missing three or more breakfasts. Less than 30% said they always leapt out of bed immediately on hearing their alarm. Karen Levy, from campaign organisers HGCA said: “Whilst we all like that extra bit of time in bed in the morning, oversleeping can have consequences, like missing breakfast as these results indicate. Research shows that breakfast can offer many benefits, like aiding concentration and mental performance , setting us up for the working day. This is why we are inviting everyone, as part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week, to shake up their morning routine to ensure they make time for breakfast, as well as arrive at work on time with hopefully no need for excuses!’ The survey also revealed the top breakfast choices for those making time for the most important meal of the day. A bowl of cereal was the top choice with one in four. Tea and toast (23%), porridge (11%) and a bacon or sausage sandwich (11%) completed the top four breakfast choices. ENDS Additional Findings:  26 – 35 year olds are the worst at rising with only a quarter getting up immediately after the alarm goes off. Nearly half of 46 – 55 year olds get up immediately.  80% of 16-25 year olds use a mobile or smart phone as an alarm. Four in ten 46 – 55 year olds use a traditional alarm clock  80% of 46 – 55 year olds have got up in time for breakfast every day in the past working week, compared with just 51% of 16 – 25 year olds  Top breakfast choice for 36 – 55 year olds is tea and toast  For men cooked breakfast took its place in the top four breakfast choices, at the expense of porridge.  Eight percent of working women rely on their partner or kids to wake them up * All stats except where stated One Poll Survey, 2,000 respondents 16-55 who work weekdays For further information about Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2011 (23 - 29 January), including events in your area, recipes, tips or images please visit www.shakeupyourwakeup.com or contact a member of the team: David Gough Karen Levy Ceres HGCA T: 0118 947 5956 T: 024 7647 8735 E : david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk E : karen.levy@hgca.com Editor’s notes: • Farmhouse Breakfast Week is organised by HGCA, which is the cereals and oilseeds division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). • HGCA aims to deliver a world class arable industry through independence, innovation and investment. It funds R&D, marketing, export and promotional activities for the cereals and oilseeds sector in the UK. Find out more at www.hgca.com. • HGCA is a financial supporter of the Red Tractor quality assurance scheme www.redtractor.org.uk. • Visit www.shakeupyourwakeup.com for more ways to Shake Up Your Wake Up.

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