Here’s the truth: Employees won’t use a breakroom if it isn’t useful. If you’ve found yourself in a situation where employees aren’t utilizing the space, you need to ask yourself the important questions.
Is there coffee?
The days of office water cooler chatting are gone. Coffee is not only essential to wake your employees up in the morning, but it’s also a way to encourage comradery. People like to chat when they have coffee, and it’s a great way to bring the office together.
Is it clean?
The number one turn off of a breakroom is how cleanly the space is. Is the garbage overflowing? Did Jane once again burn her popcorn in the microwave? Or how about the frig… Just exactly when was the last time it was cleaned it out? Providing access to cleaning tools is a great start to keeping your breakroom spic and span.
Are there utensils?
Bring the home kitchen right to the office. Office workers shouldn’t be fighting over plastic spoons, plates or cups. They should be readily accessed.
Is there furniture?
You can’t expect a generation that sits at its desk to stand to eat their lunch. Your breakroom should be furnished with the obvious, and these pieces of furniture should be made to withstand the occasional spill.
Are you promoting it?
This may sounds odd, but you should be promoting the use of your breakroom. How? Have celebrations there. Associate the breakroom with good things – things like birthdays, retirements and exciting company news. People will start to view the space as a place to congregate.
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