A lot of things affect employee performance. Depending on the mood or changes in the environment, it can be as volatile as a stock market. However, one of the things that can directly impact employee productivity is the space they work in day in and day out.
The term “the break room” gets used a lot, but what does it mean? It’s a place for employees to relax, take a break from their work, and rejuvenate themselves. In other words, it’s a place for employees to de-stress and recharge.
The problem is that many employers don’t understand the importance of the break room and what goes into making it a sufficient space for their employees.
Many employers think that as long as they provide a space for employees to take breaks, that’s all they need. But the truth is, there’s a lot more to it than that.
The break room is a crucial part of the workplace. It should be given just as much attention as any other area in the office. After all, it’s where employees go to relax and unwind, so it needs to be comfortable, inviting, and functional.
Every employer should keep a few things in mind when creating or updating their break room. Here are a few of them.
Entertainment Devices
While many employers might not think about it, having entertainment devices in the break room can be a great way to help employees relax and unwind. Gaming consoles, movie streaming platforms, and social media can help employees take their minds off work and recover from work stress.
Gaming consoles can provide a much-needed distraction from work. Employees can play their favorite games and forget about their job for a little while. Movie streaming platforms can also help employees relax by letting them watch their favorite movies or TV shows. Social media can be an excellent way for employees to stay connected with friends and family, which can help reduce stress levels.
If an employer is looking for ways to make their break room more inviting and functional, they should consider adding some entertainment options.
Team-Based Table Games
Sometimes, it’s not about individual recovery. When one person feels down, there is a high chance that a ripple effect happens to the team. As a result, the entire group’s performance will suffer. Fortunately, they can make a collective effort to recover by turning to the break room.
Employees can benefit from using the break room by playing team-based table games and improving team chemistry. Board games are an excellent way for employees to take a break from work and relax. They can also help employees bond with their teammates and improve team chemistry. Table-based sports are another great way for employees to relax and unwind. They can also help employees stay physically active, vital for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Meditative Exercises
Sometimes, employees feel too stressed at work to the point where they don’t get proper sleep at home. As a result, they will feel sleepy and groggy in the work area, and they will turn to the break room to rest and recover, even if they won’t sleep. Fortunately, meditative exercises offer the best option for those two qualities.
There are many benefits to meditative exercises, especially for employees looking to recover from work stress. Meditation can help employees relax and unwind and improve focus and concentration. Additionally, meditation can help enhance sleep quality, essential for recovery and rejuvenation.
Yoga is another excellent way for employees to recover from work stress. Yoga can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. It can also help to reduce anxiety and enhance the quality of sleep.
Quilting is another excellent activity for employees looking to relax and unwind. Quilting can help create a sense of calmness and well-being and improve focus and concentration. You can partner with Accuquilt to secure quilting supplies for the break room.
Some jobs require employees to stay in the office for 12 hours or more. If that is the case, it might be better to provide a sleeping quarter along with the break room. While pursuing this might be challenging and costly, ensuring that you get the best versions of your employees during work time is necessary.
Conclusion
There are plenty of other elements you can add inside the break room. Some companies even experimented with adding a minibar and complimentary snacks and beverages inside the area. However, the features mentioned above require more investments than most companies are willing to make. If you want a more cost-effective way, then try to implement the ideas above and see the difference it makes for your employees.
