We all have a favourite food, and we know how it makes us feel to enjoy that. There are probably plenty of us that know how it feels to be ‘hangry’ when we feel our stomachs rumble. There are many links between food and mood, but this can sometimes be overlooked in the workplace.
However, more employers are now starting to see that there can be a link between the food that they offer and the way their employees respond to them. To discuss further, Ian Johnsons, Managing Director at Johnsons Vending shares his insight into his experience with the correlation between food and employee engagement.
How food boosts mood
What we eat impacts heavily on how we feel and how we work. For example, a hit of sugar can give us an immediate high, but the low that comes afterward can leave us feeling sluggish and lethargic. In contrast, an apple will slowly release natural sugars over a longer period of time, keeping us fuelled and working for longer.
Many workplaces offer very little when it comes to food, but providing a range of options, it can completely change how your employees feel about the business that they work for. Feeling valued at work is incredibly important, but very few employees do. With many staff members now choosing to snack through the day or half-heartedly eat a sandwich at their desk through their lunch break, it is no wonder that many feel that the daily grind gets to them.
Providing a space where people can access a range of food and beverages, meet other people and take a proper break can change a company culture completely. Having the ability to enjoy barista-style coffee, chat with a friend, and make healthy choices about what they eat can all help to make employees change their perception of their workplace.
This often leaves them energised, enthusiastic, and more collaborative. Not only that but this improved mood is often found to make staff more loyal towards the business that they work for, making it easier for you to hold on to important talent.
Food solutions
This all seems fantastic, but many employers shudder at the thought of installing a fully working kitchen. The expense and space that this requires are simply not a practical option, which is why vending machines are changing the landscape of workplace food and drink. These modern machines can now offer just about anything you could imagine, from hot drinks, pre-packaged snacks, or even healthy meals.
They are incredibly convenient as they can work 24 hours a day around any shift pattern. Most machines now include contactless payment options and can even help you to monitor stock so that you know what you need to re-order and when to do it. These machines can offer a massive cost-saving, as there is no need for staff to man it and less time wasted by employees who want to pop out to find something nutritious for lunch.
These machines are able to make the business a profit whilst also giving hard-working employees the sustenance they need, leaving them feeling that they are looked after by the people that they work for.
Getting your staff to engage with the business they work in is about so much more than targets, charts, and bottom lines. It has been found that how they feel at work can play a huge part in how they go about their job and their attitudes towards it. Something as simple as food can play a massive part in this, and with technology giving you a helping hand, you can now offer this quickly and easily in a way that benefits both the employees and the business.