When Covid hit, everyone was forced to work from home. I must admit that sometimes I find myself struggling to stay focused and productive within the confines of my home as I’m used to social interaction. Humans after all, are social creatures and the lack of human contact has been proven to be detrimental to our well-being. For many of us, we have started to ease back to the office while maintaining the flexibility of working from home, the coffee shop or anywhere else we may choose.
It may sound strange, but coffee shops remind me of the typical office pantry. For starters, there is the atmosphere. Coffee shops are usually bustling with activity, which can be energizing and inspiring at times. Just like an office pantry, where you may not be actively participating in the conversations going on, but just being in the midst of all that activity can give you inspiration, boost motivation and energy. For others the office pantry is a place to vent some steam and de-stress.
But it’s not just about the atmosphere. There are also some practical reasons why the office pantry is a great place to work too. For one thing, there’s the endless supply of caffeine to keep anyone going like the energizer bunny. Not to mention, the snacks and even a vending machine if you’re lucky! The best office pantries are fitted with a variety of comfortable furniture that’s not only meant for break time but conducive even for working or when you just want to have a different scene and catch that inspiration you need for your next project.
Central Perk
We spend a lot of time at work. In fact, on average we spend up to 37% of our time, a higher amount of our waking hours at work than anywhere else. Now some organizations pay more attention to the office pantry but why? For some, it is a place for office gatherings to boost morale, encourage collaboration and impress clients. According to Inc. Magazine, 60% of working professionals mentioned having a well-designed office pantry and free snacks in the office makes them feel “valued and appreciated”. Because when it comes to employee perks, few things are simply satisfying as free food, drinks and a lovely workspace.
Just like Central Perk from the hit series Friends, it has long been seen as the gathering place to get a great cup of coffee and share moments with friends and colleagues. The office pantry creates a space that encourages collaboration, relaxation, and camaraderie among colleagues minus the theme song and Gunther’s judgmental stares.
Investing in employees and the aesthetics of the workspace to create a healthy, inclusive working environment ultimately benefits both staff and the business as a whole – a happier workforce, that feels valued, is a more engaged and productive workforce.
The Office Pantry Effect
A healthy work culture creates a sense of inclusiveness and belonging, an office pantry is surprisingly an easy solution that promotes a positive work culture. A well-designed office pantry becomes the hub of any workspace, where interactions and collaboration happen organically.
When there is positive interaction at work such as friendly chit-chat over coffee or tea or having lunch together, staff are able to build friendships and deeper connections with each other. Like many others, I like to see my friends at work and when thinking about changing employers one of the greatest deterrents for me would be that I don’t want to leave or lose my friends. Maybe it’s psychological, but whatever it is, it seems to contribute to employee retention, I call it the “office pantry effect”.
