30% of staff want breakout areas and recreational areas at work.

Following the end of the “work from home” advice, the modern workplace must adapt itself to suit the demands of employees in this post-Covid world. A study from Infogrid found that 30% of staff want access to breakout areas and recreational areas. This suggests employee wellness is high on the agenda moving forward.

Express Refreshments the Micro Market supplier explores.

The Infogrid survey.

At the end of 2021, smart technological firm Infogrid produced a report on the return to work, focusing on employees in particular.

It explored exactly what they are expecting from their employers and indeed their workplace, taking into consideration any concerns they may have about returning in the near future. To summarise, mental health was one of the biggest sticking points, with many employees not totally comfortable with heading back to the office.

63% of the 2000 people surveyed said they are more concerned about the healthiness of their workplace today than they were before the pandemic. Over a third of these said they were more concerned than they were just six months previous. What this immediately emphasises is CEO’s and leaders must improve health and safety to tempt teams back.

The good news is that 84% of British staff do believe their employer cares about their wellbeing. But it shouldn’t stop there. More than two-fifths (44%) of staff said they would feel even more comfortable if their employer invested in their workplace to make it a more pleasant environment to operate.

Now well into 2022, the data suggests employers can play on the data that highlights the benefits of being in the office or typical working environment. 35% of staff say they are looking forward to returning because the workplace is a better social environment than at home. They have missed the interaction with colleagues.

And with 28% saying that their mental health is better when working from home, leaders must work with these two statistics to ensure their teams feel comfortable back to the traditional environment.

Breakout areas and recreational areas, anyone?

Breakout areas and recreational areas are some of the most popular implementations for the modern workplace. This is because they have a positive impact on our overall wellbeing.

They encourage time out when you need a moment to yourself and promote the value of communication with colleagues. Informal interaction like this can make us feel happier because humans are naturally sociable. In turn, this can decrease stress and improve our overall mental health.

Breakout areas and recreational areas are facilities that staff are actively pushing for, with 30% of those from the Infogrid survey saying they would appreciate having them in their workplace.

Express Refreshments is a trusted Micro Market supplier that can position this refreshment hub at the heart of a designated breakout area tailored to suit the requirements of your team. Only recently did we create a vast open space complete with the market, seating areas, hydration stations and more for a customer.

We are finding that businesses are revamping their locations to better suit the modern world, which includes a heavy emphasis on mental health and overall wellness. Breakout areas and recreational areas are a valuable tool for staff retention, too, which could be at risk if your environment doesn’t meet demand.

We have lots of experience in designing an open space with the wellbeing of your team at the heart. The Micro Market is a key part of this, with fresh bean coffee, fresh food, healthier items, and more available 24 hours a day. If you’re continuing with hybrid work and shift patterns, this is ideal.

Breakout areas and recreational areas can work for all businesses and could be the best investment in your team you ever make. Contact us today for more information and for some ideas.