💡Do you believe global growth in the year ahead hinges on supporting workers? Why or why not? Weigh in.With an increasing number of employers focused on returning to the office, they will lean into team meals in 2025 to lure workers back and rekindle the pre-pandemic feelings of community. While some employers may sweeten the deal with free or reduced food, the actual focus will be on bringing people together during meals."Research suggests that it's very powerful when we eat together," says Tracy Brower, PhD , a sociologist and the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work. Eating together is tied to increases in acceptance, trust, sense of community and even better enjoyment in life. Brower adds that team meals are also tied to better outcomes, performance and retention.Cater2.me , a company that provides corporate catering across the U.S., saw an uptick in business between 2021 and 2022 as companies started to bring employees back into the workplace. "More recently, a lot of companies have settled into their in-office policies and they're thinking about food less as a mechanism for driving attendance and more as a way to build camaraderie and culture within the office, very similar to how it was viewed pre-pandemic," says Jonathan Altshuler , who is Cater2.me's chief operating officer.Cadence is important, adds Brower. Once per quarter or year is not enough, for example. Leaders need to make communal meals feel like the norm by suggesting one-on-one meetings over breakfast or coffees. "When we encourage leaders to start to model that behavior, then we'll start to see more of that mirrored in the culture as well," she adds. — Andrew Seaman
Stress, Burnout & Wellness Coach💫Empowering busy professionals to manage stress, beat burnout & regain energy, confidence, focus, motivation & life balance so you can reach your personal & professional goals • ICF Coach
2wThanks for posting good reminders like this, Ali! Always supporting positive posts like this for good wellbeing. ❤️