As companies return to a workplace reminiscent of pre-pandemic life, there are still some hurdles to overcome with bringing back and retaining employees. The pandemic ushered in an unprecedented shift in workplace dynamics, with hybrid work models becoming commonplace in offices throughout the area. Balancing a hybrid workforce while maintaining and improving company culture and connection is a current challenge many human resource and people operations teams face.
As we go further into the year, companies will strategize ways to improve the culture of their new-looking workforce to incentivize employees to return to the office.
Upgrading Employee Break Room Offerings
With employees adjusted to a post-pandemic workspace, they will seek out something new and exciting in the break room after being away for almost 2+ years. Providing employees office perks is a great way to create a nurturing and welcoming environment. Keep in mind that one way to your employees’ hearts is through their stomachs—and that today’s workforce will set their expectations high. Therefore, the basic office coffee program will not be enough of an incentive; businesses must consider how to continue fueling the connections and comforts of employee break rooms in more exciting and innovative ways.
This means offering great coffee and healthy, locally sourced, high-end snacks, beverages, and fresh foods that support workplace wellness . . . essential elements to keep your team happy and engaged. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Choose proven high-quality products
Gone are the days of offering basic coffee and water service in the office. The break room should be the gathering point for your team. Taking a break—with access to drinks and foods employees like and want—also increases work satisfaction and boosts productivity. This means supplying a wide variety of top-quality snacks, refreshing beverages and gourmet coffee that your team will appreciate.
Mike Fiorino, a Senior Sales Consultant, explains how vital an upgraded break room can impact your workplace culture as one of the key office perks: “Whether it’s healthy snack alternatives, better soft drinks, kombucha, or cold brew, employers are offering these options because they realize the importance of getting their employees to the office, keeping them there and keeping them happy.”
Offer locally sourced coffee with a brand message or mission that resonates with your team
The story behind the coffee you offer is just as important as the actual coffee itself. Including local coffee roasters who are passionate about their craft and aim to make a difference in the world around them speaks to the character of their culture and to the voices your office is looking to elevate.
At Corporate Essentials, our “Coffee Culture” program highlights coffee roasters who strive to make a difference in their communities and industry. Roasters such as Portrait Coffee, based in Atlanta, look to change the picture that comes to mind when people think of specialty coffee. After learning the history and seeing the current realities of current coffee practices, every cup of coffee made and consumed at Portrait Coffee has become an invitation to drink purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. This deeper dive into the brand’s message provides a face to the people behind the coffee and resonates with those who drink it.
Add Cold Brew/Kombucha Setups In the Office
A key upgrade for many offices is the addition of cold brew and/or kombucha programs in the break room. Installing kegerators in your office break room provides easy access to these popular drinks that can satisfy everyone. Beverage programs like these are the office perks that bring people together to enjoy great-tasting, popular beverages.
At Corporate Essentials, we are a trusted provider for everything businesses need to keep employees engaged, whether at the office or in their homes. As leaders in the office coffee service industry for over 25 years and experts in break room redesign, we can help employers create safe, innovative, convenient spaces that deliver what your team craves, with equipment that offers convenience and that added “wow” factor. Contact us at 973.402.1088 for a break room audit or to find out more about our employee engagement programs that foster a positive corporate culture and help companies maintain meaningful connections with their teams, wherever they’re working. Learn more at www.drinkcoffee.com.
