How the Micro Market can help strengthen employee belonging in the workplace.

A study from Lifeworks Mental Health Index has concluded that Britons are struggling to feel as though they belong at work, certainly compared to pre-pandemic figures. This is a damning insight that can contribute to poor mental health. It also highlights the need for incentives to make staff feel more comfortable at work. Could the Micro Market help? 

The stats behind the issue.

From the latest survey, a respectable 71% of respondents said that they felt as though they belonged in their workplace prior to the pandemic. When asked again only last month, that figure dropped to 63%.

Meanwhile, 37% of respondents were totally unwavering in their belief that they no longer feel connected to colleagues since returning to the workplace. This is up from 28% of people who said the same before Covid-19 struck.

The stats on employee belonging and connection are certainly more concerning since the pandemic.

Possible reasons for these statistics.

Covid-19 forced a challenging lifestyle on us that we probably won’t have to live again. Some of us are still dealing with restrictions in place, especially at work, simply for peace of mind.

Restrictions such as one-way systems, social distancing, and the implementation of wearing face masks will naturally make it hard to engage with our colleagues like we used to do. That’s after you consider the effect of hybrid and home working that has largely been in place since March 2020.

Home working has changed the way we communicate with other staff members. Instant messaging service such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom calls were the norm for so long and for some people it won’t be as simple as it sounds to adapt to face-to-face again.

Then there are the psychological benefits of working from home, which turn to effects when you return to your normal working environment. Your home was your safe place, somewhere you can relax in peace of mind. Returning to a workplace with so many other people may be daunting as concerns surrounding health and safety are very much on your mind.

All in all, it’s no wonder so many employees are struggling to go back to the way things used to be. It’s yet another change we must adapt to. Some of us might not be ready for it.

How the Micro Market can overhaul company culture.

It’s not going to be easy to get your workplace back to the way it used to be, bustling with life and positivity. This largely explains why many businesses are still going to adopt hybrid working.

But there are things you can do to help improve the issue. Of course, naturally, it starts with your workplace.

Think about your environment. Does it encourage positivity? Does it promote health, wellness, and safety? Does it offer enough for colleagues to engage and collaborate?

Employee perks matter more than ever now. They’re a necessity to improve company culture and make sure your team feel happy, safe, and comfortable in their environment. Only then can they be productive.

The Express Refreshments Micro Market is an advanced refreshment hub that provides your staff with fresh food, snacks, and hot and cold drinks 24 hours a day.

The foundations of the Micro Market are built on the wellbeing of the workforce, providing a tailored location where staff can grab everything they need or wind down and relax.

Most of our Micro Market customers intertwine their market with a breakout area, which encourages staff to take a moment out their day either alone or with colleagues.

Wouldn’t this be an excellent solution to bring your team closer together and improve interaction and engagement?

The Micro Market is also a great solution to making employees feel as though they belong at work. It’s an unrivalled employee perk that is Covid-compliant, with single-serve products in an open design that encourages a one-way system.

Micro Markets tailored to your workplace.

A Micro Market is best suited to larger sites with a higher volume of staff. This can make it more cost-effective than a traditional canteen, but the truth is a Micro Market can work for almost all workplaces due to the ease in which it can be tailored to suit.

Contact Express Refreshments today to see if the Micro Market is the best on-site refreshment solution for your business.