Updated: May 5, 2020
Office Catering: Boost Productivity and Morale with Free Food at Work
More and more companies are realizing that offering free catered meals to employees is becoming a necessary part of their overall compensation package. While much has been written about the benefits of free office catering, the bottom line is that research published by Indeed.com reveals that 67% of workers who have free food at work are “very” or “extremely” happy at their jobs. In today’s competitive job market, the value of retaining employees is well understood.
What are the benefits of free office catering?
Let’s take a step back and look at why providing your employees with free food drives employee satisfaction.
Boost productivity: Free meals at work boost workplace productivity because your staff will feel valued. Furthermore, by providing employees with a free meal right at the office, you are removing a major source of distraction because employees no longer leave your premises to drive or walk to buy and eat food. When employees eat their meals at work, they can quickly get back to work.
Foster community and company culture: When all your employees gather to share a meal together – daily, or even weekly – you are giving them the opportunity to create strong social bonds and make connections outside their teams and departments.
Promote healthy eating habits: By working with local office catering companies to provide a range of nutritious meal options, you are helping your staff make healthy food choices rather than rush out to the nearest fast food restaurant for breakfast or lunch. When your staff are healthy, they are happier and more productive. When employees are nourishing their bodies with healthy food, they're more energetic and alert. Healthy employees also tend to have less medical issues.
Improve hiring conversion rates: Free meals can help you recruit new staff because it signals that upper management is invested in creating benefits that employees value and that add value to their work experience.