How to Improve Employee Engagement Through Dining Culture

With the loneliness pandemic prevailing and employee retention rates plummeting, both employees and employers are hitting a crisis point. Globally, approximately ¾ of employees report feeling lonely at least monthly, demonstrating the vastness of workplace loneliness.

Apart from the vital links loneliness has with mental health, which in turn affects all aspects of life, especially work engagement, it also leaves you feeling unmotivated and disconnected from your work and team. But no need to panic, dining culture in the workplace may just alleviate all these issues and benefit your workspace.

With most of us spending more time at work than anywhere else, eating at work cannot be avoided, but it may also be the secret to unlocking a thriving atmosphere. Let’s be real: food speaks to the heart, so harness its powers to help your business and work.

According to psychology, sharing meals can lead to stronger and more trusting relationships. This allows you to build employee wellbeing through meals – the perfect hack to fix your workplace dining problems and harness a happy environment to manufacture workplace success.

• Flexible seating options: Encourage interaction between staff and allow for flexible workplace dining arrangements in order to make the most out of the space, no matter the time or team size in the office at that time.
• Inclusive meal options: Incorporate food for every dietary requirement from vegan to halal. Give employees the option to bring their own ready prepped meals, snack or drink options so food perks can be enjoyed at work together.
• Team usage: Schedule team lunches for morale and training sessions around your office catering space to get the most usage. More food and employee engagement will be enjoyed as a result.
• Building a hub and multi-use space: Use the space for team-building activities within employee wellness programs. You can also add meeting areas within office catering spaces to make the most out of these hubs. Incorporate bulletins, notice boards, and posters that celebrate employees’ achievements and provide interesting upcoming events.
• Sustainability: Using sustainable office dining furniture and durable materials helps your space last longer. Provide recycling and food waste bins to ensure a tidy space while also being environmentally conscious.
• Designs: Add design elements or colour schemes to create a smart and welcoming space that is personalised to the work environment.

Seamless and efficient – just what work life should be.  That can be achieved by implementing these workplace dining solutions:

• Bring it in-house: Stop overly long lunch breaks and people always having to leave the facilities to buy food by using healthy workplace catering.
• Healthy food in the workplace: Studies have shown that healthy eating and good hydration positively correlate to increased productivity and less fatigue. This improves employee mental and physical health, and thus engagement.
• Smart vending solutions: Save money, time, and labour with smart vending solutions in the workplace by not needing to employ any additional staff. The technology allows food to remain fresh, from healthy meals to drinks. Click here to browse machines that can do the job.
• Smart fridges: This technology allows you to offer fresh food at various temperatures, tailoring it for different products. By installing a smart fridge you can cater to a variety of different preferences and dietary requirements without the risk of losing more canteen space.
• Micro markets: Employs a fully equipped dining experience without the labour cost of traditional catering. Micro markets are fully customisable to adapt to your individual needs, from microwaves, freezers, and hot drinks machines. It is fitted to your space, creating a workplace dining culture tailored to every space and desire.
• Digital cafeteria solutions: Incorporating an optional mobile ordering app allows you to streamline the dining process, access the loyalty points system, highlights the latest offers, and gives you customisable options.
• Payment options:  You can choose from going cashless with our contactless card readers, opting for a cash reader to give your employees multiple payment options, or simply use a free-to-staff model.

As seen above, workplace dining culture and employee engagement do go hand in hand. Not only does it boost workplace morale and build a healthier, happier workplace, but it also creates additional spaces for collaboration and camaraderie – a necessary key to every functional company. It’s a space to bounce off each other’s ideas, speak to one another, connect, and embrace your work life. Not only does the employer get the benefits, but so does every employee –  a win-win.