Hiring and retaining talent is difficult, even in the friendliest economic climate. But as we all know,? it's been a while since we’ve seen anything resembling normalcy.?
Dial in to any news outlet and you’ll hear the same two stories; Employers are struggling to find and retain good talent, and employees are having a hard time finding jobs with wages and benefits that meet their needs. The topic is complex and multifaceted but one thing is for sure–businesses have to adapt.?
The pandemic and Gen Z entering the workforce slammed employers all at once; working from home became the norm almost overnight. Employees who have only ever experienced this setting may have a hard time trading in their flexible work schedule for suits and shared bathrooms. Other more experienced employees can’t wait to get back to the social customs they grew their career alongside. The reality is that the division between the different generations in the workforce is staggering. But what's one thing that brings people from all generations together, even outside of the workplace??
As demonstrated by hundreds of large companies already, providing free or subsidized lunch to employees has a wide variety of benefits. But, is it worthwhile and accessible to smaller businesses too? In short, yes. Here are a few of the ways providing lunch benefits will help you grow your business:
- Finding common ground: Although we hate to admit it, workplaces can sometimes be divisive and confrontational…especially in high-growth, fast-paced environments. While this can be great for productivity in the conference room, it is a breeding ground for employee dissatisfaction and low retention rates, which will impact business growth in the long run. In a study conducted by Cornell University, author Kevin Kniffin says that “Eating together is a more intimate act than looking over an Excel spreadsheet together. That intimacy spills back over into work.” Eating a meal together (even if only for 15-minutes) builds camaraderie, fosters creativity, and sparks connections that translate to happier employees, lower turnover rates, and even a more productive workforce.
- Cost savings: Yes, spending money on lunch can save you more in the long run. Consider your average employee’s hourly rate and what goes into a lunchtime decision. Choosing a restaurant, looking at the menu, driving to the venue, waiting for the meal to be prepared, and commuting back to the office. At this point, your employee will likely eat their meal at a record pace to get back on track with their day. Not ideal for workplace satisfaction. In an ideal situation, your employees would spend their lunch break making connections, resetting their minds, and preparing for the afternoon workload. The mental load of decision-making and the physical time spent can add up to more than an hour of your employees’ time. While providing lunch may minimize the amount of time your employee spends on lunchtime decisions and deliver measurable ROI, the additional value of employee satisfaction and retention is limitless.
- Recruitment and new hires: As the workforce becomes increasingly remote, even small towns are competing with large tech companies for recruiting top talent. While it's hard for small businesses to compete with the stock options and salaries that big tech offers, Gen Z? and the pandemic have been teaching us a valuable lesson: It’s not as much about the bottom dollar as it is the total comp and lifestyle. For small businesses, offering free or subsidized lunches can be enough to attract talented employees. Consider options like the Peach Lunch Card to provide benefits to in-office and remote employees alike!?
Overall, The data to support workplace-sponsored lunch benefits is overwhelmingly positive. With options like Peach gaining popularity across the country, there are solutions to fit every business size and budget. The goal for everyone is the same: Happier employees, higher productivity, and less job searching.?
For more information about Peach and its lunch services, visit their website here.
