The Staff Kitchen Is Responsible For Staff Satisfaction – So Let’s Perfect It
There are certain non-negotiables when it comes to business planning and daily operational management. For example, nothing is important enough to completely subvert safety requirements, or putting people at risk. Unfortunately, not all companies have taken that line over the years.
Another non-negotiable is data security, especially in today’s world of online threats. Not only is it a terrible way to lose the trust of your customers, but could shut down operations for a significant period of time while you restore and recover your systems.
That’s important. But what else is important? Well, there’s one elephant in the room that companies rarely address. That of the staff kitchen. This might sound spurious or superficial, but without a good staff kitchen, every single lunchtime your employees have to feel frustrated, unhappy, or spend their money elsewhere when they’d have preferred to heat up leftovers from home or cook a small meal.
Now, this space doesn’t have to be equipped for fine dining or even with cooking equipment, but you may find value in designing it with the following principles:
Comfortable Dining Spaces
We hope it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest a cramped, uncomfortable kitchen area doesn’t exactly scream “we care about our team.” But unfortunately, intentional or not, that’s how staff will read it. It’s wise to have at least one surface area people can eat from with comfortable chairs that feel collected, such as around the Marble Dining Table by Choice Furniture Superstore, or perhaps a collection of smaller, comfortable coffee tables and simple armchairs. It will welcome staff to sit down and relax, not just heat something up and then run back to their desk or car.
Coffee Machine, Microwave, Appliances
A good coffee machine might seem like a nice convenience for your staff but the truth is that caffeine can fuel your productivity. We’re willing to bet that most companies out there are actually part-fueled by caffeine. So invest in a good reliable one that can be easily maintained. You could also add a microwave, a toaster, and maybe a fridge, and you’ve got the basics covered from there. If staff can’t prepare their home-cooked meals or feel that necessary conveniences like bowls, plates, or cutlery aren’t available, that’s not helpful. It’s also wise to implement a staff rota so the place is cleaned as appropriate and no one has to leave the space out of neglect.
Free Refreshments As Appropriate
Now, coffee is minimal in price compared to your general office budget, and having some fresh fruit is nice. You can always encourage staff to bring their own options but make sure they know the allergy guidelines, such as making sure the food is covered or clearly labeled, or items like nuts are avoided. It will help you add more of a community feel as long as there’s a nice, clean fridge available.
With this advice, we hope you can perfect the staff kitchen of your office!
