Breaks are important for employee morale and productivity. However, the way in which your employees spend their break matters too. Below are a few ways in which you can make sure employees are getting the most out of their breaks.
Promote a flexible break schedule
Rather than enforcing rigid break times, consider allowing employees to take breaks at their own discretion if you are not already doing this. A flexible break schedule gives employees more autonomy and creates a more relaxed work environment. You can also be certain that employees are taking breaks when they actually need them – rather than forcing employees to take breaks when they are at their most productive.
Invest in a work canteen
While this might be too much of an investment for smaller companies, a well-stocked canteen could be a great investment for larger businesses – allowing employees to buy food on site rather than having to go out and get food. A canteen could also provide an area for employees to congregate to eat during break hours. You could even consider providing a free canteen as an employee benefit.
Add games to the break room
Adding some games to your break room could encourage employees to bond and have fun on their break. This could include anything from a pool table to some board games. Consider holding a team meeting and see which games your employees would most like to see in the break room.
Consider a workplace gym
Some workplaces have their own gyms on site, allowing employees to take breaks to exercise. Basic gym facilities may be all that is necessary. You could even allow employees to use this gym before and after work. Taking a break to exercise could be great for employees working sedentary roles – helping them to get moving, stay fit and get re-energized.
Designate quiet spaces
There may be some employees who just want to relax in peace on their break – especially if they’ve had a stressful shift. Designating a quiet room with some comfortable couches, a library of books and some calming music could give employees somewhere to escape to when they need to destress. This only needs to be a small room.
Build a smoking shelter outdoors
For employees who smoke, having smoking shelters on site can make going outside to smoke a more pleasant experience in bad weather. These shelters shield smokers from the wind and the rain. It’s also a great way to clearly designate an outdoor smoking area.
Add some outdoor picnic benches
Outdoor picnic benches can encourage employees to spend their break time outside. Fresh air and nature have been proven to have benefits such as reducing stress and inspiring creativity. All in all, employees who are able to take their break outdoors could return feeling calmer and more motivated.
Conclusion
There are many great ways to provide a more enjoyable break for your employees such as introducing flexible breaks, investing in a work canteen, adding games to the break room, adding a workplace gym, designating quiet areas, adding smoking shelters and adding outdoor picnic benches. Pitch these ideas to your employees to see which ideas they want to see implemented.
