Staff come and go. It’s simply a fact of life. Or is it? In many cases, staff leave for a better opportunity or because they want a better work-life balance.
The good news is that you can reduce staff turnover rates by simply offering free coffee in the workplace.
What coffee to offer
Any free coffee will be gratefully received. Of course, the better the quality, the more appreciative your staff will be.
That generally rules out instant coffee, and while filtered coffee tastes great, it’s not practical to make a pot when you need a drink.
An increasing number of employers are using machines that take coffee pods. These are fast, offer excellent quality coffee, and are easy for any member of staff to use.
Best of all, you can purchase a range of coffee pod flavours, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
This approach tells employees they are valued. In turn, they’ll appreciate the coffee and are less likely to want to work elsewhere.
Improved productivity
Coffee has been shown to boost memory function and make you more productive. This allows employees to get more done at work, effectively boosting their productivity.
In general, a productive employee will feel more satisfied and less likely to leave your employ.
Of course, the improved productivity will also help the bottom line of the business. You can use the additional funds to give more back to your employees. Make sure they know this is a result of their hard work.
Offering a pay increase does help maintain employees. However, you should also consider offering additional training. This is often preferred to a wage increase as it opens opportunities for employees.
It can even help you build the next generation of managers to help keep your business moving forward.
Reduced stress
Coffee contains caffeine, which has been shown to help lower stress. It’s particularly effective if you encourage staff to have coffee with others. Even taking a short unscheduled break to enjoy a moment gossiping with colleagues over coffee can reduce stress.
It can also boost the enjoyment of the workplace. Anything that makes the workplace more pleasurable will boost morale and make it harder for an employee to think about leaving.
After all, if you consider your colleagues friends, you’re less likely to leave them.
The environmental angle
Choose the right coffee pods and machine, and you’ll be helping to save the planet. Make sure your employees know you’re doing this, and you’ll find they are appreciative.
This is especially true for employees who are concerned about the environment. If they are working for a company that appears to care about the environment, they are less likely to leave.
Summing up
It can seem like such a small thing, providing free coffee for employees. However, it can make a dramatic difference to the way they see your business and you.
It’s surprising how many employees will stay with you simply because you’re taking care of them. Invest in some coffee pods and a coffee machine today. It’s a small price for something that could save you thousands.
