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How workplace catering can shape Gen Z engagement & retention
Discover the value of workplace catering on the wellbeing, engagement, and retention of Gen Z employees
As employers attempt to strike the right balance of remote and office-based work for their business, a particular focus has fallen on Gen Z’s relationship with the physical workplace.
With plenty of headlines and hype over an apparent reluctance to embrace in-person work, what does the research actually tell employers about how Gen Z feels?
Busting some common misconceptions, studies such as Owl Lab’s State of Hybrid Working 2024 show that the majority of Gen Z (67%) do want to spend some of their time in the office. Moreover, a staggering 93% already have roles that involve at least some in-person interaction.
But while Gen Z staff are generally open to dialing back work-from-home requirements, they expect a trade-off. Critically, workers from this cohort demand physical workspaces that are conducive to their wellbeing needs, appetite for collaboration, and sustainability values.
With expectations sky-high, employers must consider the role of key office amenities, from catering and coffee machines to the infamous ‘water cooler.’
As examples from top businesses have demonstrated, such considerations around workspace design are increasingly influencing the ability of employers to engage and retain Gen Z employees.
How amenities & workplace catering impact Gen Z engagement & retention
Poorly designed office environments and a dearth of varied, high-quality catering options have countless unwanted negative impacts, from stress and poor mental health to knock-on effects on physical wellbeing.
Meanwhile, research shows that sharing meals with others is linked to improved wellbeing. Younger generations are bringing heightened expectations for the customisation of workplace meals to meet dietary requirements, and for their employer to invest in staff health and wellbeing.
Gen Z employees are also particularly likely to leave their jobs due to loneliness, value the impact of in-person communication and learning opportunities, and expect their employer to align with their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
As a result, individuals from this cohort are not only more susceptible to disengagement if workplace amenities such as catering options do not meet their demands. They are also prepared to end their employment over a lack of meaningful in-person connection or misalignment with their personal values.
A sustainable and healthy food offering at work, therefore, holds significant weight in career decisions made by Gen Z workers and is a key driver of retention.
Employers must invest in designing offices and physical workplaces that provide high-quality food and beverage facilities, offering amenities that drive wellbeing, inspire moments of social connection, and keep sustainability in mind.
Google CEO: Workplace catering is more than a mere ‘perk’
The world’s leading employers recognise the impact that workplace amenities and catering can have on engagement, productivity, wellbeing, and retention.
At Google, for example, executives such as CEO Sundar Pichai have hailed the impact of workplace food and beverage as far more than a ‘perk.’ It is reported that co-founder Sergey Brin once instructed architects at Google’s legendary offices that “no one should be more than 200 feet away from food.”
From ‘miracle berries’ and edible flowers, to chicharrónes and freshly-baked cookies, Google’s snack bars, cafés, and ‘microkitchens’ have served up a staggering range of food and drinks over the years.
However, according to Google’s chief exec, the juice is worth the squeeze. “The benefit that comes out of that dwarfs the costs associated with it,” Pichai said in a 2024 podcast episode.
“I can recall several times, when I was working at Google early on, being in cafes, meeting someone else, talking, and getting excited about something,” he added. “It sparks creativity [and] creates a community.”
Discover the power of hydration
It’s not just food! Hydration matters, too.
According to a 2024 Aquablu study, although proper hydration can boost productivity by 14%, 86% of office workers aren’t hydrated enough, impacting performance and wellbeing.
Gen Z expects refreshment options beyond coffee, with healthy and sustainability-aligned options available.
Prepare for the future by integrating smart technology that enhances the office environment and attracts top young talent.
To learn more about how you can create a dynamic office space that inspires collaboration, protects wellbeing, and helps win the battle for Gen Z talent, download the Vending Sense report: Gen Z and The Workplace: Secrets for a New Era of Engagement.
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