Commentary

Office refreshments more important than ever in the post pandemic era

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July 25, 2022 by Sam Roberts — Digital Marketing Manager, Connect Vending

One of the biggest challenges businesses are facing in the post pandemic era is how to meet employee expectations. Many companies are allowing employees to work from home a couple days a week, while some are allowing a portion of their workforces to work completely from home.

Companies requiring employees to continue to work in an office, however, are finding that the need for food and refreshments is greater than ever.

"They (the customers) want flexibility when they come to work, and when they come to work, one of the amenities they want is they expect it to be healthy and nourishing," said Robert Gebhardt, experience services lead for the Americas at Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate company, according to a recent Vending Times report.

When it comes to solutions that can increase employee morale, providing office snacks is a great way to show that your company cares about the employees who work for you.

When it comes to employee retention, office snacks have a unique role to play. A survey conducted by Zerocater, a San Francisco based foodservice provider, found that 88% of employees considered employers providing snacks to be important to them.

The survey also pointed out that 41% would consider leaving an employer if they failed to provide office snacks as an office perk.

The availability of quality office snacks, as well as drinks, can be the difference between a person accepting or declining a job offer to work at your company.

Vending to the rescue

The most economical and effective way for an employer to provide a range of snacks continues to be engaging the services of an experienced vending company.

A professional vending company can provide a machine that will not only blend into your office's interior, but will also come equipped with the latest technological innovations.

By offering a range of options including chocolate bars, breakfast snacks and dried fruit, employees are likely to stay in the office to enjoy their favorite snacks rather than leaving the office to go to a fast food restaurant or a convenience store.

Serving Millennials?

Nowadays, it's especially important when providing snacks in the office that you consider the demands of the Millennial workforce — this generation is unique in that it prioritizes happiness in their role over salary, and quality food and beverage provisions can tick several boxes.

Healthy snacks in the office can improve not just your employees' performance, but also their health. Hence, it's important that you have a consistent supply of energy so that you can power through your daily tasks without hitting the dreaded mid-afternoon slump.

As much of our time is spent at work, it can be hard to get the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Skipping meals during the working day can contribute to a decrease in performance levels.

Having a variety of healthy snacks outside of chocolate bars and crisps such as Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit can ensure that you get plenty of healthy fats and protein in your diet.

If your employees are consistently consuming healthy snacks at work, then they'll be more capable of producing high quality work on a daily basis.

Consider the social aspect

There is also the social aspect to consider.

If an employee goes to the kitchen to pick up their favorite snack bar, they're more likely to bump into their fellow colleagues for a chat, encouraging discussions and helping keep everyone's social energy high.

Everyone who's worked in an office environment will know how important this social aspect is to keeping happy, motivated and energized.

Improving employee relationships, boosting productivity and a happier workforce have long been the benefits that come with having snacks in the office. They are especially important in the post pandemic era.

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