Catering, dinners, snacks, and lunches: there's a reason why companies invest in keeping their employees fed. There's nothing that shows appreciation like feeding someone, and you can make your employees feel at home with a well-stocked kitchen. From the right office kitchen supplies to healthy, delicious snacks, you can make your office a friendlier place with a few small changes.
Increase Your Company's ROI
It's well-known that feeding your employees can lead to increased ROI. It doesn't cost much to offer an employee lunch or snacks (and this amount is deductible as a business expense). In return, you get a lot of important benefits: improved productivity, better teamwork, and more. If you want to create a solid company culture (and retain the best staff), one of the best ways to start is by making food available.
Enhance Employee Productivity
Food is a natural stress reliever. It elevates a person's mood and gives them something to concentrate on besides work. There are a few reasons why a well-stocked kitchen improves employee productivity:
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Employees feel respected and valued when a company goes the extra mile for them.
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Employees are less likely to leave the office if there's food accessible nearby.
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Employees who eat healthily are less likely to call in sick, and more active and engaged overall.
It makes sense. When employees are fed, they can concentrate. And eating is something universal, too: everyone has to eat and enjoy the associated perks.
Bolster Teamwork and Employee Camaraderie
Eating is one of the most social times of our day. In fact, it may arguably be the most universally social event. When employees eat together, they talk and bond. They will find it easier to work with each other once they have developed this continuously developed camaraderie.
This is especially true for special work lunches, events, and dinners. Employees are going to bond over shared memories, discuss work, and learn more about each other's communication styles. People are in a good mood when they are eating good food, and bonding in this way can also smooth over any difficulties that employees may be experiencing.
Employee Loyalty and Retention
Hiring can be very competitive. The best talent is often being recruited by many companies—to distinguish yourself, you need an edge. Apart from salary and insurance, many employees are looking for other benefits that motivate them to come to work every day. They're looking for comfort and a sense of being appreciated. These are both things that you can achieve by making sure your employees are well-fed.
Office Kitchen Essentials
Now you know how important it is to make sure that your employees are fed. But how can you get started?
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Make sure you have the right office kitchen supplies. Employees should be able to fix their own food easily if they want.
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Schedule catered events and restaurant outings. Make sure that employees are rewarded for the company's performance.
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Stock healthy snacks as well as treats. Employees who eat healthily are more likely to be productive workers in the long run.
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Ask your employees what they want. Depending on your company culture, there may be certain foods that are more or less desirable.
Once you've built the perfect company kitchen and started arranging the right events, your employees will be able to bond together and relax over a good meal. For more information (and for the right supplies), consult the ELEVATE Marketplace.
