The Benefits of Providing Snacks to Employees

One of the rising trends in office design is the addition of breakrooms that include lounge furniture, foosball tables, and… free snacks? That’s right—many companies go above and beyond providing free coffee and water to offer their employees free treats daily. After all, the way to an employee’s heart is through his or her stomach, right?

Benefits of Complimentary Snacks

Businesses offering complimentary snacks are noticing the difference the small gesture has made, including the following.

Employees Have More Energy

Food is fuel for the mind and body, but many office workers don’t keep themselves nourished throughout the day. An empty stomach can lead to grogginess and discomfort that hampers productivity. Businesses that offer employees light snacks often notice more employees snacking throughout the day, which may lead to more energy, provided the right types of treats are provided.

Employees Are Healthier

Of course, your employees aren’t going to get a long-lasting energy boost if the only thing you offer them is chocolate chip cookies. Businesses that offer healthy snacks such as nuts and fruit help prevent employees from making poor snack choices. Why pay for a doughnut in the morning when you know you’ll get free apples and bananas at work? Healthier food consumption generally leads to healthier people, so offering this type of snack could easily lead to fewer employee sick days and reduced medical expenses.

Employees Are Happier

Even if you offer cookies and candy instead of something organic, providing employees with any type of snack will help boost their morale and improve their overall mood. It’s something to look forward to, giving your company an edge over other prospects when hiring new people.

Employees Are More Collaborative

Similar to how employees gather around the water cooler to chat throughout the day, offering snacks provides an outlet for employees to come together in the same space and say hi. Some of the best creative ideas happen on the fly, and this casual meeting of the minds could very well lead to some of the best ideas.

What Snacks Should You Offer Your Employees?

Something Healthy

Healthy snacks, like fruit and vegetables, really are the best options. Not only will they help your employees lead healthier lives in the long run, but they’ll help your business in the short term. Offering high-protein snacks such as nuts will boost energy, make employees feel “fuller” for longer, and help keep employees focused.

Something Fun

Offer something different from time to time to keep things interesting. You could also implement designated days when employees bring homemade snacks to share with their co-workers. Keeping it fun will help reinforce a sense of camaraderie.

Something Everyone Can Enjoy

Be sure to consider the dietary needs of all employees when choosing what treats to offer. Some employees may be vegans, some may have celiac disease, and some could be allergic to peanuts. Offer a variety of snacks so everyone has something to choose from.

Ask for Feedback

Once you’ve started offering snacks to your employees, be sure to get their feedback on how it’s going to ensure that the right food is being offered. Happy snacking!

Employee Wellness

Fun at Work

How to Prevent Office Fires

An office fire is the last thing on everyone's mind when they go to work; yet the potential danger of an office fire is an ever-present threat. In 2013, Richard Campbell from the National Fire Protection Association analyzed collected data from 2007-2011 to assess just how frequent structural fires were in office properties, as well as the financial impact and the trends that often lead up these incidents.

Get the Look for Less: Private Office Design on a Budget

When it comes to your private office, it's important to create an air of professionalism that employees and coworkers respect while incorporating your personality into the space. Unfortunately, this feat often comes with a lofty price tag. Whether in a corporate corner office or the comfort of your home, here are some tips for getting the look you want in your private office for a price you can afford.

Modern Look for Less

Small or large, your office can benefit from a modern update. The Metropolitan collection includes desks in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes to complement your workspace, all at a price the average business can afford. Boardwalk walnut laminate with silver accents creates an attractive style, while clean lines and matching pieces give the collection a streamlined look. There's even a corner desk option for the office that needs to save some space.

To incorporate the modern aesthetic throughout your private office, add minimalist finishing touches like abstract art, small plants, or simple sculptures to the space. Select an office chair with a clean profile in a modern textile like mesh or white vinyl to complement the case goods in the room. Since most private offices include a guest chair or two for holding meetings, go for guest seating with a metal framework and a clean, edgy look that will match the furniture in the rest of the space.

Industrial Look for Less

If it's the rustic industrial style you love, you could be paying a pretty penny for solid wood and wrought iron office furniture. Achieve the same look for a fraction of the cost when you choose furniture from our NBF Signature Series Urban collection. This furniture group utilizes weathered walnut laminates rather than solid hardwoods to create the same rustic look you love at a much lower cost. For an industrial edge, black accents on the Urban pieces are also constructed of laminate—a fact most guests would never guess.

When decking your office out in the right décor, go for metal and wood art that will complement the furniture in the space. From wall clocks and framed artwork to faux driftwood décor and wood and metal accent chairs, there's plenty to choose from when you're looking to boost the organic aesthetic in your industrial-style private office.

Mid-Century Look for Less

Love Mad Men-inspired office design? That signature style is known as mid-century modern and has been sweeping private offices across the country with its angled lines, thick wood grain, and modern elegance. For a truly historical piece, you'll pay more than you may have bargained for. That's why we offer the beautiful look of mid-century design without the daunting cost. From desks of every size to storage and filing cabinets with a high-end look, you'll be able to outfit your entire office with this sleek and sophisticated collection.

When it comes to décor, you can go the mid-century route or the modern contemporary route and still end up with a unique look you can love. For a mid-century modern look, go with wood accents and 50s-inspired designs. If you prefer a more current modern appeal, choose framed wall art, area rugs, and other décor in a neutral color palette.

Traditional Look for Less

Warmth and elegance are the keys to a beautiful office when you're going for a traditional look. The NBF Signature Series Cumberland collection features desks and case goods in a cherry wood veneer finish that will give your office a rich, sophisticated appearance. And because it's from NBF Signature Series, you know you'll get beautiful furniture at a reasonable price.

Styling a traditional private office is a lot like styling a home. Choose décor that brings warmth to the space, such as wood-framed wall art, Roman numeral clocks, and earth-tone walls. Your executive office chair and guest seating will look best in high-back styles with wood framework and button-tufted upholstery, but the details depend on your preference.

Grunau

A mechanical systems and fire protection union contractor, Grunau is headquartered in the Greater Milwaukee area, not far from the place National Business Furniture calls home. Just as Grunau seeks to understand their customers' vision in every project that they do, so NBF sought to understand Grunau's vision in our recent project with the company lead by NBF Account Executive Anna Reedy. Read on to find out what Grunau wanted out of this redesigned workspace and how Reedy helped them achieve it.

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