Break Room

Tea is an ancient beverage which likely originated nearly 3,000 years ago in China by lucky mistake. Enjoyed around the world, tea is filled with health benefits. While Americans have historically been coffee drinkers, MightyLeaf writes “in the 21st century, we became more well-versed in tea…[and] the cultures of tea around the world.” While tea on tap in the office break room may not have the same ceremony as British high tea or a Japanese traditional tea ceremony, it offers many of the same physical and mental health benefits in any setting. Tea may be the ideal breakroom beverage, particularly when it’s served up on tap. Is Tea the Ideal Breakroom Beverage? Enjoyed hot, a cup of tea represents a moment of peace in a busy workday. Unlike coffee or lattes, tea is meant to be savored slowly and enjoyed carefully. For busy Americans, a cup of tea can encourage

The world’s most innovative employers take office break room ideas seriously. Creating an appealing and aesthetic retreat for staff can improve office morale and have a real impact on productivity and employee engagement. A recent study by design firm Gensler confirmed that employees can be inspired to be more innovative by the design of work and break spaces. An exceptional break room can spell creativity and peak performance. In the modern workplace, employees are rarely tied to their desks by technology or company policy. This has created the workplace design trend towards flexible, multi-purpose spaces which foster collaboration and freedom. “A lunchroom might also serve as an ad hoc meeting room, casual client presentation area or all-hands engagement hall,” says principal architect Heidi Hendy. Customized, functional and stylish break rooms could spell competitive advantage by facilitating collaboration and providing employees a much-needed respite from focused work. The importance of fun

We’ve all been told to drink more water…and we absolutely should (in case you missed the memo)! But what if plain water just isn’t exciting enough? Luckily, Corporate Essentials has a “super” selection to combat the boring taste of water! Water alternatives such as Sparkling Water, Infused Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Coconut Water, and even Cactus Water (Cactus? Odd, I know…but believe me, it’s so good!) are not only tasty water substitutes, but they are sure to replenish and rehydrate just like regular water! When the Monday blues are getting you down, transport yourself to the tropics with VitaCoco’s Coconut Water. With vitamin C and electrolytes like potassium, this water will replenish you and give you the energy you need to power through your day! The truth is that even athletes swear by coconut water to keep feeling great. If you’re looking for something just a little different, the delicious

An office coffee service may be what you are looking for to develop effective ways to enhance your company culture, boost satisfaction and increase employee productivity. Chances are that you haven’t thought much about coffee in the workplace. Who could supply the coffee? Do your workers like the coffee? What do your coffee options say about your office culture? The truth is that coffee at work may be more important to your employees than you think. The latest Gallup poll shows that the 64 percent of Americans drink, on average, at least one cup of coffee every day. While you may not lose any employee due to lack of high-quality coffee at the workplace, you are missing out on a wealth of benefits offered by an office coffee service. How Coffee Affects Office Culture The myth that coffee is bad for you is being exposed by study after study. Today’s

The secret behind the world’s most impactful organizations is their people. The most engaged employees work creatively and productively and feel loyal to their company and its values. Boosting your office culture to new heights may be as simple as putting your best break room ideas to work for your organization. In FMLink, Stephanie Heiple writes, “[T]he environment silently communicates the values of its residents.” What does your organization’s break room say about what your organization values and how much your employees mean to you? Furniture, lighting, amenities and overall design can all influence whether people retreat to your break room to relax, refresh and engage in creative brainstorming sessions with their co-workers. Not only does your break room reflect your culture, it will be reflected in how effectively your people work. Taking regular mental breaks from focused work is critical to performance and employee happiness. Professor Allison Gabriel writes

A positive company culture provides an edge. Companies with superior culture are likely to enjoy happier employees who stay longer—and work more productively, creatively and collaboratively during their time at the organization. In fact, your company’s culture is closely tied to your company’s value—50 percent of today’s executives say that culture is a top-three driver of brand value and 84 percent believe poor culture is a liability and can lead to risky behavior by employees. While culture is a complex mixture of factors, don’t underestimate the importance of a communal space for your employees to take a few minutes to refresh, have fun and build relationships with their colleagues. A break room is more than just space for your employees to grab a cup of coffee or nitro cold brew—though research reveals that hot or cold caffeine does provide a boost in performance, creativity and your employees feeling valued. There’s a reason