In the technology-centered world that we live in today, authentic face-to-face connections can be hard to come by, especially in the work environment. Our world revolves around our inboxes, with never-ending deadlines and emails constantly pinging our cell phones. But instead of “working for the weekend,” the team at Cater2.me prefers “living for the lunch hour.”
Finding time to reconnect with colleagues, and take a bit of personal time during the workday can significantly increase positive attitudes within the office and have happy workers. Here are some of the ways that your team can support workplace happiness:
Break for Lunch
Regular breaks, including a lunch break, give employees time to practice healthy habits in the workplace. They can use break times to chat with colleagues, exercise, meditate, or engage in a self-care activity.
Besides the awesome benefits of regular breaks, a 2017 survey from Tork revealed that employees who take a lunch break on a daily basis feel more valued by their employer, and 81% of employees who take a daily lunch break having a strong desire to be an active member in their company. Employees who take a lunch break every day scored higher on a range of engagement metrics, including job satisfaction, likelihood to continue working at the same company and likelihood to recommend their employer to others.
In-Office Snacks and Beverages
Of course, lunch hour isn’t the only time employees want tasty food options. Taking short breaks during the day to nom on healthy goodies is a great way to increase office wellness and improve emotional health. Our friends at NatureBox offer awesome bulk snacks for the office, and they only use high-quality ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. They also have a number of vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free options.
In-Office Zen Space
Many startups and companies are utilizing open office spaces, opting for desk pods instead of private offices and cubicles. Open workspaces have proven to promote collaboration, transparency, and spontaneous communication between teams. But, employees still desire quiet spaces to concentrate without distractions.
Make sure your office has created quiet spaces for employees to work, such as phone booths, couches with tables, or sitting areas in corners. Encourage staff to use the mini workstations for interruption-free focus.
Try implementing these three tips in your workplace to promote office wellness and self-care, generating job satisfaction. Your staff will appreciate the efforts to increase opportunities for employees to reconnect with colleagues and create spaces for them to focus.
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