Show your staff how much you appreciate their hard work by designing a comfortable room where they can enjoy workplace breaks. Keeping employees on the premises for lunch or a coffee break also makes it easier for them to return to work in a timely manner, keeping you from being short-staffed throughout the day.

From comfortable furniture to convenient beverage and snack services, design an area for breaks where employees can relax, refuel and catch up on company news:

1. Choose tables, chairs, couches and décor that make the room a welcoming place for a noon break.

2. Install beverage and snack dispensers that staff members can utilize during employee breaks and throughout the workday.

3. Stock an assortment of free supplies that employees can enjoy during their daily coffee break.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Furnish the room with inviting tables and chairs so it's comfortable for workplace breaks

Design a space for office breaks that will accommodate the number of employees that want to leave their desks for a coffee break or eat homemade meals during the lunch hour. By furnishing the room with sufficient tables and chairs, it can also become a place to hold informal company meetings and parties.

I recommend: Everything Furniture provides a vast assortment of tables, chairs and decorative accents to complete your room for workplace breaks. ATD-American offers break room furnishings from tables and chairs to booths, benches, artwork and lockers for storage. Click on the categories for designs and details on specific pieces.

Provide snack and drink services to help employees refuel during office breaks

Contract with a snack service or install a bank of vending machines to give staff members an assortment of snack and beverage choices to enjoy during breaks. Opt for machines that feature favorite chips, cookies and candy or healthy alternatives like apples, soups and sandwiches. Also consider installing a refrigerator in the break room where employees can store food they bring from home.

I recommend: Work with Canteen Refreshment Services to customize and order items for lunch and employee breaks like beverages, snacks, soups, tableware and cleaning supplies. The company will contract to stock and maintain your break room. Vending Solutions provides nationwide supply and service of soda and snack machines. Contact the company for a free set up.

Offer free coffee and supplies that staff members can enjoy during breaks and throughout the day

Although vending machines for sodas and snacks are acceptable in the noon break room, it's a nice gesture to provide complimentary coffee for employees that like the pick-me-up during work hours. Reduce maintenance costs by teaching staff members the proper way to use and clean the machine.

I recommend: Uline offers an assortment of break room supplies from industrial Bunn coffee makers to coffee grounds, coolers and disposable tableware. Order an assortment of coffee break supplies such as decanters, disposable cups and utensils through Discount Office Items.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your employee break room is also the ideal place to install the company bulletin board. Staff members can catch up on office announcements, meeting schedules and upcoming events while enjoying their workplace breaks.