How food and breakout areas are driving the return to the workplace.

It was always predicted that the Covid-19 pandemic would leave long-standing ramifications in its wake that will change the world of work forever. 

Sure enough, it is believed that nearly half of the British workforce are now hybrid working. 18% are working from home or remotely full time.  

If you’re trying to turn the tables and present the traditional workplace as an enticing environment to finally return to, here are some employee “perks” you could look to adopt and offer.

The benefits of a fresh food vending machine.

In a recent LinkedIn article, “Perks to Tempt You Back to Work,” food facilities and wellbeing zones are highlighted as two perks that are becoming increasingly popular.

Free food has long been a staple of tech companies, but it is now spreading to other industries as well. The idea behind free food is to keep employees on site during the day, rather than leaving for lunch and potentially not coming back.

Many companies provide facilities such as fresh food vending machines. Whilst organisations can subsidise the costs of products, having a convenient solution like this on site is a great incentive for staff to return to the workplace.

While free food may seem like a small perk, it can have a big impact on employee satisfaction and productivity. It eliminates the need for employees to spend time and money on lunch, and it creates a sense of community within the office.

Employees are more likely to socialise and build relationships with their colleagues if they are eating together, which can lead to better teamwork and collaboration.

Wellbeing zones and breakout areas.

Another perk that is becoming increasingly popular is the wellbeing zone. These are designated areas within the office where employees can go to relax and recharge.

They may include things like comfortable seating, meditation rooms, or even nap pods. Some companies also offer on-site fitness classes or gym facilities.

The idea behind wellbeing zones is to help employees manage stress and improve their mental health. The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and companies are realising that they need to do more to support their employees in this area.

By providing a space where employees can take a break from their work and focus on their wellbeing, companies are showing that they care about their employees’ overall health and happiness.

Other perks to tempt your staff back to the workplace.

In addition to food and wellbeing zones, there are many other perks that companies are offering to entice employees back to the office.

These may include things like flexible schedules, remote work options or better-quality tea and coffee facilities. Companies are realising that they need to be more creative with their perks in order to attract and retain top talent in a post-pandemic world.

Whilst many employee perks may seem like small things, they can have a big impact on employee satisfaction and productivity.

As companies continue to navigate the post-pandemic world, it will be interesting to see what other perks they come up with to attract and retain top talent.