Are you an HR Specialist?
“The office staff returning to work felt nervous when they clocked in for the first time in over two years, but when they received a warm welcome in the staff canteen and chatted with their colleagues, the fear and trepidation started to fade away.”
There are many suggestions from industry experts about how to “reboard” or integrate your returning employees. I’m going to share some of my experiences over the last few weeks, and how to turn disenchanted into positively engaged .
One of the missions of the majority of successful businesses post pandemic (apart from being profitable, of course!) is to improve employee wellbeing.
Each and every employee, whether working in the office or factory full time, hybrid or from home, will have experienced very different work environment on their return.
Some WFH’s now fear leaving their house. In some companies, resentment between departments has arisen with those who have worked on site throughout believing they are the “have nots” because they dutifully turned up at their place of work day in day out, and perceive their colleagues as having enjoyed one big long holiday at “Casa Mia.”
We are seeing many businesses almost fully back to pre-pandemic operation, in the world of the“new normal”. By that, I mean production resuming or continuing, albeit with some supply, logistical, and distribution issues due to Brexit and covid19, with some working from home, some hybrid, and some back in the office full time. Where Human Resources have been asked to launch changes to the company structure, focus and work practices, additional time is being taken to carefully talk employees through them, to reassure, and to explain the reasons and where there are opportunities for career development.
Observing from our corner of contract catering in Scotland, we’re seeing companies working hard to support, and show appreciation for those that kept “the home fires burning” throughout, whilst gently encouraging and welcoming back those who have been struggling to administer their tasks at the kitchen table with intermittent wifi and a toddler and a puppy underfoot. Employees who have been isolated need to feel cared for, and our catering teams fulfil that role in spades, being the people everyone interacts with daily. Huge efforts are being made to motivate all employees as they come together in the same building, including free health checks, counselling sessions for stress, free wellbeing classes such as yoga and mindfulness. Employees are being recognized through reward schemes and are encouraged to complete surveys and questionnaires honestly.
In addition to reinforcing the continuing procedures to prevent further covid19 cases, and embracing the changes in organisational structure and focus that may have taken place over the last two years, Albacore are proud to have played their part in bringing the individual departments together again through our high quality food offer and professional service. We’ve operated staggered breaktimes to avoid crowded tables, offered pre-ordered food for collection, and generally listened and reacted according to each and every client’s requirements.
We have carried out one to one customer surveys to determine the new requirements for the daily breakfast and lunch menus, launched new hospitality brochures at a tasting event, orchestrated the allocation of at least seven hundred doughnuts, caramel shortcake and muffins. We’ve replaced lunch service with a giant barbeque and salad bar, and catered for a “Back Together Again “ event with refreshments. We’re advising on changing seating layouts and introducing soft low seating, atmospheric lighting, plants and food art on the walls. And we’ve been approached to cater for a number of relationship building events in the coming weeks.
We see employer engagement as crucial at this time, and the powerful impact a staff catering facility has in attracting and retaining good people. We’ve increased our management presence in some food courts to induct new employees and refresh memories about customer flow, and taken the time to listen to our customers and their emerging preferences for more healthy options, vegan and plant based products, and global food preferences, particularly in more office based cultures. Vending machines are also offering more healthy choices.
While Human Resources are responsible for implementing all the policies and procedures, we see the catering facility as one of the conduits to successful implementation, as it provides a relaxing space away from the place of work to be yourself with your colleagues, and to feel part of your team or department. Some employees see the canteen as an extension of their living room.
If you’re an HR specialist, and you’ve ever wondered about the importance of the canteen, there is never a better time to utilise it as a powerful conduit to promote employee wellbeing. As long as you’ve chosen a quality catering partner like Albacore, of course!
If you’re not already persuaded that a catering facility is essential:
· It’s an employee benefit that will attract and retain staff
· It’s a social interaction opportunity
· It supports your company culture
· It’s a vital interface between HR and internal customers
· It helps to shape internal culture
· It helps support your visitor experience
· It provides an opportunity for your organisation to influence healthy eating and wellbeing through the menu offer
· Employees can make better use of their break time without having to leave the site
But don’t just take our word for it!
“A successful partnership with Nicola and her team to develop a solution suitable for our staff restaurant space and our particular environment. Nicola and team are highly responsive and the support and guidance throughout the pandemic to keep our catering service operating was invaluable. The team have an enthusiasm for what they do best -: knowing their customers and making break times something to relish with excellent food!”
Lesley Brown, Facilities Manager
Get in touch for an informal chat with no obligation to discover what a partnership with Albacore can achieve!