Attracting and keeping talent remains a challenge for organizations today. Companies often state employee turnover is a major issue in their operations. They spend time and money hiring and training new employees, using valuable resources in the process, only to have these individuals leave in short order. This high turnover affects the overall performance of the organization.
In addition, the skilled labor force continues to shrink. Companies must compete to attract top talent. While pay and benefits go a long way in attracting this talent, a company cannot overlook workplace conditions. Employees want to feel valued and enjoy having access to perks while they are at work. With the help of associated services, a company finds they can provide refreshments for employees at affordable prices.
How can a company incorporate refreshments into daily operations? What are the benefits of doing so? The following guide provides an overview of refreshments in the workplace and why every company should make snacks and beverages standard in their organization.
Incorporating Refreshments into Daily Operations
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A company might choose to set aside time for employees to collaborate over snacks and a drink. For example, the company may choose two or three employees from different departments and bring them together for a snack and drink. As they enjoy the break, they can discuss ways to increase collaboration across departments and discuss challenges they face. The employees learn more about each other and better understand how their work affects others within the organization. This increased collaboration benefits the organization as a whole.
Another option involves encouraging regular coffee breaks. The company provides coffee and tea solutions and recommends employees take advantage of them regularly. Studies have shown people who sit at a desk all day suffer from many health issues. Encourage employees to get up and move around for a few minutes each hour. By providing healthy snacks and beverages, the company can ensure employees move around and improve their health at the same time. The company should provide a range of choices for employees to ensure those with allergies and restricted diets have options that meet their needs.
Offer grab-and-go options for employees in the middle of a task. They may need a boost but don’t want to pull themselves away to take a coffee break. By allowing them to grab a snack and beverage they can take back to their desk, the company knows employees are getting the fuel they need to continue with the task they are engaged in. Offer a variety of options for all employees to ensure nobody misses out on this company perk.
Why Offer Refreshments?
Companies may view these refreshments as an added expense that doesn’t increase their bottom line. However, offering these items benefits the company in a variety of ways. Refreshments increase employee retention in several ways.
Employee Innovation
Many employees don’t take regular breaks, particularly those in white-collar positions. However, regular breaks encourage creativity and innovation. The change in the environment allows ideas to percolate and gestate. Every company should encourage employees to leave their desks for a minimum of five minutes each hour. They can use this time to grab refreshments or head outdoors for a breath of fresh air. This break provides the perfect time to stretch and work out any kinks.
Increased Productivity and Revenue
Some employees won’t leave their desks even when the company encourages them to. Consider starting a snack wagon that will move among employees and allow them to grab a beverage and snack without stopping what they are doing. They won’t have to wait in line in the break room to grab a cup of coffee or stand around while another employee browses the snack offerings. These items come right to their desk.
Have this snack wagon make rounds throughout the office several times a day. An employee who declined a snack during the morning run may be ready to pick a snack and beverage when the wagon comes through mid-afternoon. They continue working to bring money in for the company while still getting the pick-me-up they need.
Employee Morale
A study conducted by Staples found that almost half of all employees believe they would be happier in a different job. Underinvestment in the workspace was one reason given for this unhappiness, with noisy and cramped workspaces being another. When staff members feel their company cares for them, their morale improves. Many companies today provide access to free drinks, but that number is on the decline.
Now is not the time to get rid of refreshments in the workplace. Countless individuals have been working from home where they had access to food and drinks at any time. As they return to the workplace, they want to have similar accommodations. Stopping to get a cup of coffee allows them to engage with other people—something they weren’t able to do freely during the global pandemic. They enjoy these casual meetings and get to know their co-workers better.
As fewer people are in the office every day, many companies find they can make space for a place to serve refreshments above and beyond a coffee maker and water cooler in a corner. Now is the time to offer refreshments to employees to retain staff. Employees see this move as a way to reward them for their hard work. However, a company may want to take other steps to improve employee morale and retention.
Work with the provider to bring special gift boxes or packages to the office. Reward employees for a job well done with one of these packages. As the company already partners with the provider, they know they will get high-quality items employees will love and want to share with their families.
As the work-family balance struggle continues, employees want to know the company they work for recognizes the support families provide. Gift boxes designed with families in mind provide a great way to show appreciation for this support. Talk with your refreshments provider today to see if they can be helpful in creating these gift packages. The right provider will offer bulk and special-order items in addition to the refreshments offered in the office.
