“What do you mean by food-scene-at-my-workplace, I am not working at a restaurant or a grocery store”, is perhaps the reaction some of you might be having. So let me clarify that what I mean is things related to food in your office — where, what, and with whom do you eat when you are in the office. Whether you live-to-eat or you eat-to-live, you could be impacted by the food-related culture in your workplace. But more importantly, if you integrate food into your work culture, it could result in a significant boost in terms of workplace morale, enthusiasm, and outlook. In particular, especially if you are in a supervisory role, make sure you pay attention to the food situation and see if you find a marked difference when you make some basic changes.
I had a boss who made some major changes around food. To start with, the coffee maker was upgraded to a nice K-cup maker. Then there was lunch provided in every lunchtime meeting. And if a meeting was not during lunch time, there always was a basket full of snacks and drinks. You never heard anyone complain they have to go to a boring meeting. Every meeting was well attended and people came in at least for the food. Needles to say, if there was an early morning meeting, there would be breakfast. The main thing is that it was so consistent that you do not have to even ask if there would be food. Also, after the first couple of times, people who order food knew your preferences and restrictions that you do not have to even mention those.
Having free food in the office for meetings is one thing, but a lot more can be done. In one of my earlier jobs, a group of colleagues would get together every morning for breakfast and coffee. You can join them any day you want, it will be outside the office, and you pay for your own food. On a different note, I have had working meetings in coffee shops and restaurants as well. But the focus of this article is only on chit-chat. In all places I have worked, at lunchtime people would bring their lunches to a common area like a kitchen or break room, and eat. This is excellent for team building and getting to know one another, although I should confess I have eaten alone at my desk plenty of times. At any rate, in all my workplaces, a few times a month there would be a lunch-bunch that would go somewhere to eat.
Eating with your peers is one thing, what about food with folks that are not your peers? I believe that is rare and more needs to be done. For example, let us first think about students. In my younger days, students would invite me to hang out with them. Then I used to take students in my class (thanks to the suggestion given by one of my mentors) to a restaurant, or ordered food for the last day of class. Every semester the students that help with teaching and research would be taken for a meal or invited home. The students do appreciate that. But I should say that the old adage — for an event to attract students, make sure there is food — may be wearing out. I do not think it is because they are eating healthy these days, but they seem to think that there is no such thing as a free lunch!
Please write some ideas in the comments section regarding food at your workplace. In some countries outside the US, the food scene at work is a bit different. In some companies, there is a large common food area that the entire organization gathers to have free lunch daily. Many other countries at least have a large number of cafeterias where people go to lunch. In some countries, in the middle of the afternoon a person brings coffee and tea, with some snacks to your desk that you could enjoy. Of course, this was back in the day when there was one type of coffee and tea, i.e. your choice was coffee or tea. You were not asked — with milk, type of milk; with sugar, and type of sugar. I wonder how things are now, presumably they have a barista!
Here are a few things you may want to consider to improve the food scene at your workplace (if you are the eat-to-live type, ask why all this to a live-to-eat type of person in your office after first finding out who they are):
Where (and how)?
Depending on how large your group is, how far you are from a restaurant, and how crowded restaurants get near you, where you eat could be different. If restaurant is a feasible option (or if you can order in), make sure it is a place that all people in your group can find something to eat. You need to be sure to ask that nicely so people with restrictions can feel free to speak up. If needed, you could do a round robin across various types of cuisines. As an alternative, especially during those once-in-a-year type of events, a potluck (where you bring an item) works really well. Some instructions (with type and quantity), a theme perhaps, and specifying restrictions may be useful.
With Whom?
We have already established that it is quite easy to eat (and drink) with your peers. The important thing to think about is if you eat with folks that are not your peers. Make sure you take the people to lunch that work for you to appreciate everything they do for you. Also, do pay for it. But other than the payment, treat them like peers. Try to keep the conversation light and jovial. Try not to talk about work-related topics (unless you decided on a working lunch). Do it often enough that these people feel comfortable to make fun of you. Make sure you also included everyone. It does help to go outside the office, but if that is not an option, you can order food or do a potluck.
What (and what for)?
You may be the type that does not eat lunch or frequently skips lunch. But people in your group may not be so. In particular, the people that work for you. First thing is to not schedule meetings at lunch time. But even meetings around (and not at) lunch time means you should enquire about food. However, in general it would be a good idea to take your people to lunch. We have all heard that “there is no such thing as a free lunch”. So your people may start getting skeptical. It is your responsibility yo demonstrate that there is no agenda. You are doing it out of sheer goodwill and to create a sense of camaraderie. Almost always, it is not about the food. It is about the gesture — of wanting to treat people to a meal just because, i.e. for no reason at all.