American Vending LLC Blog

Workstations, desks, and the break room are just a few of the physical spaces that businesses have to consider as they begin the process of reopening. In addition, Warren and Detroit area employers are developing new procedures and accommodations to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19. Decisions made regarding the break room should be an important part of the plan.

Last week, members of the refreshment services industry gathered virtually to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to everyone. Shot in isolation from each individual’s home or business, the message is an inspiring 2-minute video. The takeaway is clear: break room service providers everywhere are here to support companies as they transition toward a new work environment.

American Vending is responding appropriately and following the state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines as well as adopting stricter health and safety procedures for our employees.

In addition to maintaining social distancing practices, our route drivers are washing their hands or changing into a new pair of gloves before each visit. They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. Their goal is to leave Warren and Detroit area break rooms cleaner than when they arrived. Additionally, we have implemented social distancing policies in our offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring our employees’ health.

Before COVID-19, break rooms were an important resource, but today, they have become an even more valuable benefit for Warren and Detroit area employees. Micro-markets and vending machines provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages. Products available in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for a quick, grab-and-go experience. Vending machines and micro-markets also offer cashless payment options, limiting contact even further. 

Providing employees with plenty of fresh foods, snacks, and beverages in the break room not only encourages employees to stay on-site but also limits potential exposure to viruses that can occur during off-site trips. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe.

For more information about customizing a refreshment menu or our safety procedures, please contact us at (248) 895.2606.

Although the idea of offering an employee break room with a selection of refreshments has been around for years, providing a space for relaxation, conversation and snacks or meals is even more important now. Break rooms are more than a room; they can help employees relieve stress, brainstorm, boost productivity and build community.

When considering if your Warren or Detroit area break room fits the needs of your employees, it can be helpful to consider the following topics: what your employees need or want, the physical space and the menu.

Needs and Wants

When considering the answer to this question, the first place to go is to your employees. Not only will it help clarify what your employees like to do when they aren’t at their desks, but it will help create a list of food and beverages preferences, allergies and dietary requirements. Asking for employee input lets them know that their opinion matters and that they are appreciated.

The Physical Space

Whether your Warren or Detroit area break room is large or small, it needs to be welcoming. There should be a variety of comfortable seating arrangements that support different activities including eating meals, reading, collaborative work, having fun and even napping.

The vibe or energy of the room, created by colors, textures, lighting, seating arrangements, layout, plants and organization, also contributes to the experience employees will have when walking into the room. A great example comes from Google’s campus where “diner booths, it turns out, can work better than traditional conference rooms.”

In addition to tables and chairs for meals, access to microwaves, a sink, a refrigerator and coffee machines as well as supplies like utensils, plates and napkins will encourage employees to leave their workstations and have meals together and build relationships.

The Menu

One of the primary reasons Warren and Detroit area employees go off-site during the workday is to grab a bite to eat or a coffee, which can cause a decrease in productivity. With that in mind, the importance of offering the right combination of snacks, cold beverages, fresh food and coffee service stands out even more.

In addition to offering traditional snacks and beverages, better-for-you options are a must. Healthy choices such as fresh food, fruits and veggies, yogurt, granola bars, nuts, filtered water and flavored sparkling water minimizes food comas, avoids dehydration and keeps employees feeling their best.

The last section of the menu should reflect coffee and tea service. It might include a combination of espresso-based drinks, nationally known brands, local roasters and a variety of hot teas. Don’t forget to include creamers, non-dairy creamers, sugar and sugar-free options.

Once the three sections listed above have been considered, the final break room design and menu should reflect both your Warren or Detroit area organization’s needs and the refreshments your employees enjoy. Not sure where to begin? American Vending can help. For more information about updating your break room or creating a new, customized menu, please contact us at (248) 895-2606.

Can Warren and Detroit area break rooms really contribute to employee morale? The answer is yes, they really can and especially during the winter months. A specific break room can either invite employees to visit it, stay awhile and engage in conversation or push employees to other areas for conversation and refreshments.

Let’s look at three ways that your break room can have an impact.

The Space

There are many different factors to consider when designing a break room’s physical space. The first question to ask is how will the space be used. Understanding the purpose(s) before making design decisions allows the design to encompass current and future needs. Some employers offer open spaces with games such as Foosball or table tennis while others focus on multiple, smaller and unique seating arrangements.

The second questions to ask is what type of vibe or energy will the room have. For example, colors, textures, lighting, seating arrangements, layout, plants and organization all contribute to the experience an employee will have when walking into the room. Textures can come from a variety of materials including bricks or rocks, wood, pleather, metal, glass and plants. One caveat when it comes to color; colors have different meanings in different cultures and can impact Warren and Detroit area individuals differently.

The Refreshments

Do the refreshments offered in your Warren or Detroit area break room match the types of refreshments that are important to your current employees? If the answer is no, then it’s time to learn what would. Once those answers are clear, the next step is to consider quality coffee services, healthy snacks and beverages, and fresh food. The final menu should reflect both your organization’s needs and the refreshments your employees enjoy.

The Activities

A break room can be used for more than grabbing a bite to eat or taking a break. The space can also become a central location where team building activities take place. At this time of year, gray skies are often accompanied by the winter blues. To combat these blah and sluggish feelings, host an event for your Warren and Detroit area employees that creates feelings of team spirit and happiness.   

• Volunteer: Choose an organization that needs help creating packages or collecting items. For example, the break room could be a gathering point for a food drive for a local food bank or a space where employees can put together backpacks for foster children or care packages for overseas soldiers. 

• Host a Potluck: Encourage your employees to bring a dish to share. Themes for the event could include bring your favorite dish (from any time of year) or bring your favorite winter dish. It’s about choosing a theme that encourages employees to want to participate.

• Ugly Sweater Day: Invite your employees to wear the ugliest sweater they can find to work and host a competition in the break room to see whose is the ugliest. While this type of event often happens before the end of December, hosting an ugly sweater day during January or February is a fun way to boost everyone’s mood after the initial excitement of winter has worn away.

Are break rooms really this important? The simple answer is yes. Break rooms and the activities that happen in them can boost team morale and support happy and relaxed employees, which increases creativity and productivity. And that makes it worthwhile to us.

For more information about customizing your Warren and Detroit area break room menu with cafe style coffee service, delicious fresh food and healthy snacks and beverages, please contact American Vending at 248.895.2606. We look forward to hearing from you.