Why shared meals are the missing ingredient in workplace culture

We often share meals with family and friends, so why not with our colleagues? No matter where you go, food brings people together. Shared meals in the workplace provide a valuable opportunity to connect, fostering deeper relationships beyond work-related conversations.

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With employees spending a significant portion of their lives at work, businesses should consider promoting communal dining as a way to enhance workplace culture. According to a study by Fooditude, London has some of the UK’s loneliest employees, with 47% reporting they don’t have a workplace buddy. Encouraging shared meals could be the key to improving workplace relationships, reducing isolation, and creating a more supportive, engaging environment.

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A recipe for workplace disengagement

Many modern workplaces face real challenges:

- Limited space for traditional canteens
- High costs for staff restaurant setup and maintenance
- Difficulty bringing employees back to the office
- Weak workplace culture and rising staff turnover
- Growing concerns around employee wellbeing and mental health

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Some of these factors may be effective in certain workplaces, but in others, they can lead to a "recipe for disengagement." In fact, the Future of Work report by PWC found that 59% of UK employees consider a positive workplace culture, where communal dining can play a role, essential to their decision to stay at or leave a job.

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Fortunately, workplace culture is evolving. Hybrid working models have reshaped how companies approach employee engagement, with a greater focus on workplace culture and work-life balance.

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But why exactly does shared dining make such a difference?

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Continue reading in How to create a workplace dining culture that enhances engagement to discover practical ways businesses can bring employees together through food.