Better Kitchens, Better Company Culture
Does the kitchen have a role to play in company culture?
Many people see the kitchen as the heart of their home. It’s where family and friends gather, talk through problems and laugh until they cry.
However, kitchens in the workplace are often an afterthought. Built into an extra closet or bare corner, outfitted with spare appliances from the clearance section and featuring slightly rotted fruit someone forgot about last week, workplace kitchens aren’t exactly the heart of the workplace. Should they be?
Mention company culture perks to most people, and they’ll think of the storied benefits at tech giants like Google and Facebook, such as an in-house barber and massage rooms. However, any business that wants to have a sense of teamwork, collaboration and transparency would do well to start with their office kitchens.
These rooms are used every day by every employee, and if they are designed and furnished correctly, they can help your business’s bottom line. Studies show that happy employees end up being 12 percent more productive at work, while their unhappy counterparts are 10 percent less productive. Of course these discontented employees are more likely to move on, which will result in additional time and money in hiring and training.
So creating a solid company culture is good for your business and your employees, and the kitchen is a great place to start. Here are four ways to easily update or improve your workplace kitchen to lead to an improved corporate culture.
Encourage Conversations Through Design
Most forward-thinking bosses know not to count the minutes responsible employees spend in the kitchen or breakroom. Why? Because every employee needs time to clear their head, nourish their bodies and chat with co-workers. Those brainstorming conversations may just bring about the next big idea for your business, so design the kitchen in a way that allows for these tete-a-tetes.
An open design with a few different seating options would allow for a working lunch for some and a lively meal for others, all while eschewing the idea that different levels of management should eat in different places. Consider the number of employees, the amount of fridge space you’ll need and any physical consideration that might impact furnishings – like a mix of both high-and low-top tables for those who may not be able to sit at bar stools for long periods of time.
You can get employee buy-in and build excitement at any stage of this project by surveying your employees for their input. For example, send them three kitchen mock-ups and ask for a vote.
Ditch Old Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards
The cabinets probably take up the most visual space in your kitchen, but are they dinged, dull and dated? If so, try repainting the kitchen cabinets a clean white to open up the space and instantly update the look.
Then stock the cupboards with a few amenities, like coffee, tea, crackers and trail mix. Don’t forget to buy some cleaning agents, since a dirty kitchen is everyone’s office pet peeve. On the walls, you can contrast the white cabinets with chalkboard paint to encourage messages of encouragement, a place to jot down ideas or encourage budding artists.
Let There Be Light
Allow natural light to pour into your office kitchen by taking down the dated venetian blinds that probably cover the windows. Some workplace kitchens don’t have any natural light at all. In that case, install a couple of different types of light: both overhead and task lighting. Add some plants to bring in a natural feel since sunlight isn’t an option.
If you think lighting isn’t important, remember that poor lighting can lead to drowsiness, headaches and eye strain. Good lighting can improve moods, ensure comfort and therefore productivity, and be overall a healthier choice.
You Provide the Joe
On average, Americans drink more than two cups of coffee every day. Now what would the loss of time be if your employees ran out to the corner shop to get their mochas twice a day? What if you instead provided yet another chance for conversation and collaboration by providing the coffee, creamer and sweetener in the office kitchen?
Providing coffee is a relatively cost-effective perk that almost every employee would enjoy. So as not to leave out those who avoid coffee, provide tea or hot cocoa as well.
Just as the kitchen is the heart of the home, so too can the workplace kitchen dictate the overall culture and feel of an office. With relatively little upfront cost, your business can reap the benefits of a more collaborative, inclusive and cooperative work environment by updating your office kitchen.
