What responsibilities do employers have on healthy eating in the workplace?
As an employer, it is important to always do your best for your staff. You have a number of responsibilities to keep them safe and well in the workplace, but this does not just extend to risk assessments and hygiene, it is also about the wellbeing of your employees.
Now, more than ever, there is a focus on caring for the mental and physical health of your staff, and whilst this might seem like a big consideration, there are some small ways to do this which will benefit everyone.
The importance of healthy eating
We all know that health and wellness start from within, which is why there is such a strong focus on healthy eating. We get out of our bodies what we put in, so a healthy diet, which is rich in the right vitamins and minerals will go a long way to keeping us strong, healthy and well. With this in mind, it seems strange that it should be overlooked by so many employers.
Healthy eating is a great way to reduce a huge number of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and stress. In turn, this can help to impact on the number of sick days that are needed to be taken each year by employees. By providing food options that allow workers to make healthy choices, you can have a direct impact on them in a hugely positive way. They are able to stay well, they will feel better about themselves, and your business will feel the benefit too.
Eating healthily can also affect workplace performance, as it can help to avoid those pesky sugar highs and lows. By swapping a chocolate bar for an apple halfway through the morning, staff are more likely to experience a steady release of energy over a long period that keeps them working well for longer. On the other hand, sugary snacks give an instant high which is soon followed by a significant crash and consistency is lost.
Providing healthy food
Providing healthy eating options for your staff might seem like a lot of work, but it can be easier than you think. Installing a water cooler allows people to keep properly hydrated throughout the day instead of opting for those fizzy cans of drink. R+R Hub can supply fresh fruit deliveries which means that you can offer employees a great selection of fruit to keep them going and never need to worry about popping out to restock.
The traditional workplace canteen has never been known for being health-conscious, but by installing micro markets, you can offer a wide variety of foods, catering for all dietary requirements at a much lower cost and greater effect than staffing a full kitchen.
Employers should always want to take care of their staff in order to get the most out of them and to make their business the place that the very best talent wants to work. Healthy eating is a key part of this and will help you to stand out from the rest.
For more information on healthy workplace refreshments, contact the team at R+R Hub today to find out the range of options we have available.
