Why responding to health and sustainability contributes to a surprising employee experience?

As a workplace (experience) manager, you try to make a difference. But employees expectations are increasingly high nowadays. Sustainability and health play an increasingly prominent role in this. How can you meet these expectations and ensure fun moments in the employee journey'?

Contribute to social problems (health & climate) 

Health and climate are two global issues that have dominated news reports over the last decade. You can have an impact on these as well. Vegan food and healthier drinks have become part and parcel of our contemporary eating and drinking patterns. It is up to you to capitalise on these trends and broaden your offering. 

Dare to put original vegan dishes on the menu alongside classic meat and fish dishes. That is a cautious step in the right direction. But why not, for instance, offer a cricket-based bar instead of the traditional and unhealthy cookies arround? It definitely has its place alongside the classic snacks. You give your employees (and visitors) access to a healthy and tasty snack that is also better for the environment.

Work on or strengthen the image you want to project

Do you want to give your company a sustainable(er) image? Then make sure this is also reflected in the food you offer. Think, for example, of the snacks you make available to employees. Sugar waffles, candy bars and crisps. We have known and eaten it since childhood. But we cannot call the production of these snacks sustainable. So opt for better alternatives. Snacks with vegetable ingredients and sustainable packaging that are also good for the health of your employees. Sounds good right?

Respond to changing customer expectations

Employees preferences are constantly changing. More and more people have all kinds of dietary preferences and need to take allergens into account in their food choices. As a result, the supply of customised food increased exponentially. Gluten-free, lactose-free, soy-free... We see these labels on food products more and more. You, too, must pay the necessary attention to this and continue this trend in your offer. 

And then there is the generation gap, which creates an additional challenge. The expectations of Generation X (1956-1970) are not comparable to those of Generation Y (1986-2000) and Z (2001-2015). Whereas X'ers like to stick to the known and are often more traditional, Y'ers are just very creative and Z'ers are very concerned with sustainability. Know who your target group is and take into account the different needs of each. It's up to you to provide the right things in their employee journey.

Be innovative, surprising and original

Employees’ expectations are not only changing, they are also getting higher. The days when a neat meeting room or room and a good meal were enough are long gone. Everything has to be more beautiful, hipper, faster, healthier, more sustainable... Small adjustments to your offer can make a big difference. 

For instance, you can add to the experience of your employees (and visitors) by offering innovative and healthy snacks and drinks. They will discover new things they have never tasted before. And that surprising experience will undoubtedly stay with them. 

Putting everything together for a moment, we can conclude that, as a workplace (experience) manager, the trick is to provide something for everyone. Know your target group and make sure you respond to them to the maximum extent. Don't just try to meet their expectations but try to exceed them by taking your offer to the next level. Always keep the image you want to project as a company in mind and stay consistent in the choices you make.

Good luck!