Benefits of Having a Kitchen at Work

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An employer can improve job satisfaction by providing a kitchen and dining area in the workplace. Staff will appreciate the convenience of this office add-on. It also boosts productivity, promotes healthy eating and reduces employee living expenses. A workplace kitchen truly offers a range of benefits for staff members and employers alike.

Low-Cost Meals

Employees save a great deal of money by bringing food to the workplace and preparing it in a kitchen. It's easy to reheat soup, vegetables or pasta for lunch. Workers can also make their favorite hot beverages. Grocery stores sell a range of low-cost instant meals that only require water, a microwave oven and a spoon or fork.

If an employee spends an average of $1.50 each weekday on lunches and prepares them in a kitchen, it will cost roughly $383 per year. This is about $1,541 less than the cost of a daily take-out meal (based on an average cost of $7.55). It's equivalent to a substantial pay raise. Workers may also save fuel by avoiding trips to restaurants.

Better Health

Employees usually eat healthier lunches when they skip fatty take-out meals. Refrigerators and ovens promote food safety as well. When a person brings lunch to an office with a kitchen, he or she doesn't have to rely on ice or a thermos to keep it at the right temperature. Safe, healthy eating decreases sick time and health insurance costs.

Socialization

A kitchen and dining area give workers the opportunity to socialize during lunch. This promotes a friendly work atmosphere. People become more productive when they are comfortable with their co-workers. They can easily ask questions or request help when necessary. A kitchen also reduces social pressure to eat at restaurants or diners.

Punctuality

Another benefit is that employees are less likely to return to work late after lunch. When people travel to restaurants or homes for meals, they sometimes encounter inclement weather or traffic jams on the way back. Lateness reduces a company's productivity and customer service capacity. It also complicates the process of paying wages.

Separation

A kitchen keeps refrigerators, ovens and vending machines separate from work areas. This is important because the noise from such equipment can cause distractions. Coffee makers in offices may overflow and ruin documents or electronic devices. A separate kitchen sink is also more hygienic; people won't use the bathroom sink for drinking water.

Versatility

Some businesses utilize dining areas for multiple purposes when space is limited. For example, a large table with several chairs might be used for staff meetings. The addition of a television set, radio or magazines can make it a desirable break room. It is a suitable location for company notices and posters as well.

For so many reasons, most businesses can benefit from an office kitchen. It's important to take this into consideration when designing or choosing an office space. For more information on different options such as flooring and color visit www.premiereworks.com. Keep in mind that a kitchen will require overhead lighting, GFCI outlets and adequate plumbing. Consider leaving room for extra seating to use as the company expands.