As a budding Human Resource professional, one is frequently confronted with questions as to how organisations can improve the productivity of their employees, how to build engagement among them so that they are passionate towards the organisation and want to sincerely take it forward. Innumerous theories have been suggested by many a renowned management guru but have met with little success.
I recently discovered what might be quite the recipe for success in such a domain. While not satiating enough by itself, in conjunction with other measures it is sure to whet the appetite. Surprisingly and sadly, it has been given very little importance by most organisations.
If you've been wondering what I have been alluding to all this while, the answer is as simple as it might sound: "food"
One look at the food served at so-called great places to work, during lunch-time, and you will be convinced that I am not as loony as I might sound and there might actually be some merit in my claim. I recently went to the office of a leading organisation and was unlucky enough to be forced to have my lunch there. The food was appalling. I honestly wondered why it could not be compared with the stuff served at Tihar jail and how it could possibly get worse than this.
I remember that day quite well. After an intense session of non-stop work I was famished, and looking to attack my lunch with gusto, but my misery was trebled when I saw what was being served. My heart went out to the poor employees who were forced to bear such injustice day after day. Why, it almost made me not want to join the organisation at all once I graduated.
We all talk about attracting and retaining talent. Here was a new one: repelling talent...don't want talent to join you?? Treat them to food in your cafeteria and you've lost them forever...
Enough sarcasm, I have made my point. Let us look at the flipside.
I did my training at the Taj President Mumbai for a period of 16 weeks. I remember the employees, all working hard, (lots of physical labour in hotels) and then seeing them attack their food. Lunch was a gala affair. The best hour of the day. All their energy came from the fact that they were being given good food. Look at the positives:
The employees feel cared for and well looked after
They work on a full, satisfied stomach
They are healthy and up to the task
I tried to put the same picture in the leading organisations. A dull and dreary cafeteria replaced with good and healthy food. The entire scene transformed. People were happy and satisfied. Employees did not look for the first excuse they could find to complain about the food. They were proud of their workplace, and it was the topic of the season with friends from other companies. (USP for attracting talent??)
We keep talking about best practices and how organisations should adopt them. How come this one has missed the eye? I haven't even seen much research being done in this regard either. I sincerely believe that this is an investment worth making. I agree with the fact that you need to cut costs wherever you can, but one has to realise that this is one area that should not be compromised. I am not campaigning for high class multi-cuisine being served. Nothing of the sort. All I ask for, is a decent square meal, that I can look forward to, after an exhausting day's work.
Think about it...
