Have you ever wondered why some warehouses have high employee satisfaction and low turnover rates? One important factor is the presence of well-equipped break rooms. In the loud and demanding environment of a warehouse, having a designated space for employees to relax can make a world of difference. For example, a study by Staples found that 85% of employees believe that taking regular breaks improves productivity. This demonstrates that break rooms are more than just a place for a snack or rest—they provide a much-needed respite that can significantly boost morale, output, and more. In this article, we’ll cover what a warehouse break room is and describe how they can benefit your workspaces.
What is a Warehouse Break Room?
A warehouse break room is a designated area where employees can relax, eat, and take breaks from difficult work. They provide a clean, quiet, and comfortable space where employees can interact with their coworkers. These spaces are specialized to meet the needs of workers who perform physically demanding tasks, and as a result, they often feature comfortable seating, refreshments, and entertainment options.
Benefits of a Warehouse Break Room
A warehouse break room can offer numerous advantages for both employees and employers. Here are four important benefits of adding a break room to your warehouse.
Improved Morale
A well-designed break room can significantly boost employee morale. When workers have a pleasant space to relax and interact with their peers, they form stronger bonds, which as you might guess, improves their overall job satisfaction. According to a LinkedIn study, 46% of professionals (worldwide) believe that friends in the workplace are an important factor in their overall happiness. In such a supportive environment, many employees will feel eager to show up to work each day, which creates a sense of belonging.
Increased Productivity
Taking breaks is a known way of increasing productivity. According to a survey done by Aflac, 59% of Americans are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout. This results in an overall reduced quality of work, which can be dangerous in a warehouse environment. Since physical labor is common in these spaces, warehouse break rooms can help employees avoid fatigue and at the same time improve work performance.
Better Employee Health
In line with what we mentioned above, regular breaks can reduce the risk of injuries and accidents. Burnouts make workers more liable to mistakes, which can lead to serious injuries among workers. Even the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that workers take regular breaks to reduce the risk of accidents.
Reduced Stress Levels
It’s well-known that workplaces can create significant amounts of stress. This affects organizations in many ways, from employee health to productivity. Creating a space for employees to unwind helps reduce such stress. In fact, breaks may even improve mental health. A warehouse break room with the proper furniture and entertainment options can provide a quick escape from the daily pressures of manual labor.
The Bottom Line
Investing in a warehouse break room can offer a variety of benefits, both for the organization and its employees. Such spaces support workers’ well-being, morale, productivity, health, and more. Everyone knows that a working environment is best when the interests of managers and employees are aligned. As they say, a happy employee is a productive employee.
Ready to improve your warehouse with a break room? Contact the experts at Allied Modular to get a free quote today!