Nourished: The Importance of Sharing Meals Together at Work
Offering a common area for employees to eat in your workplace has many perks to it. According to a survey by Seamless that polled 1,200 companies, “28 percent of companies are providing employees some type of food perk, up from 26 percent in 2014 and 15 percent in 2013.”
On top of that, the survey showed that 51 percent of those who took the survey said they would eat lunch with coworkers if that was a possibility. And 48 percent said they felt that food-based perks would make employees happier with their employers. Another study by Peapod showed that 48 percent of potential employees would be attracted to a company that offered food-based benefits.
There are tons of benefits to make your workplace feel more engaged and productive.
Increased productivity
According to research from HBR, companies see 100 percent more job applications when they have engaged employees and a positive workplace environment. And oftentimes that happiness can come when food—even free snacks—have improve morale and employee happiness. It also makes for happier and more content employees when you provide them with nutritious meals to fuel their brains and spirits.
Socialization
According to an infographic from Cactus Soft, 50 percent of workers will eat lunch entirely alone while 62 percent will eat lunch at their desks and continue to work while eating. Encouraging people to get away from their desks for a bit and socialize with other employees will also keep productivity up and will provide them with a much-needed break that can fight fatigue and potential depression. People need some rest and can’t just continue working nonstop without any breaks, so these lunch breaks can actually help spark inspiration and improve workflow.
Creates unity
The act of physically sharing a table and eating with others creates a sense of community amongst coworkers while creating a collaborative environment with employees. It’s the sign of a healthy home and can also be equally indicative of a healthy workplace. A whitepaper from Seamless said, “By all accounts, sharing a meal and breaking bread with others is one of the most basic social experiences.” The act of sharing a table and talking while nourishing yourself creates a special bond.
Collaboration
A study from the Harvard Business Review points out that “although serendipity plays a role in collaboration, devoting space, time, and resources to communal eating may be more effective.” It can break down barriers amongst coworkers and between departments, which can encourage conversation and collaboration that otherwise might not occur.
Builds a cohesive culture
Not only will you find that people communicate across departments more, but you’ll also feel a tighter bond overall in your company. You can expect to see a new, stronger company culture emerge from something as easy as providing the opportunity for people to eat alongside each other and develop bonds.
