![]() These areas are calming, comfortable, and well-suited for everything from small meetings to breakout brainstorming sessions. Today, modern break room design focuses on creating functional spaces that encourage face time with coworkers and leadership. Some organizations provide a free lunch on certain days, fresh produce, and local coffees among their perks to attract and retain top talent. ![]() ![]() Providing gyms, reading rooms, and recreational touches like pool tables started gaining traction.īy the 2010s, companies in Silicon Valley were notorious for having over-the-top break areas complete with nap rooms, video games, and amenities to entice employees to play. Color psychology, comfortable seating, and healthy snacks became the norm. However, when the tech boom occurred during the 2000s, tech companies took a vested interest in supporting their employees’ well-being, and the break room, which was a previously unexplored resource, transformed. Neutral tones, vending machines, microwaves, and uncomfortable seating were staples of these spaces. Even during this time, the break room remained more practical than fun. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the gradual change gave way to a larger shift, and companies began adopting designs intended to support relaxation and meet employee needs. How Have Break Rooms Evolved?īreak rooms may have begun as basic spaces, but they have evolved over the past few decades as employers started recognizing the benefits of employees taking breaks. When employees resist stepping away, eating lunch at their desks instead, productivity and performance suffer. Including a break room in the office’s design encourages employees to take a break during the work day. In that same survey, more than nine out of 10 workers and leaders agreed that taking breaks supports improved mental focus. Statistics from a 2017 survey conducted by Tork revealed that taking a lunch break allows 94% of workers to feel happier, and 39% of workers who do so report a healthier work-life balance. ![]() The need for a break room goes far beyond just providing employees with an area to grab coffee and eat lunch. These early break rooms were sparse and basic, typically with a coffee machine, table, and chairs. With office work creating a work environment in which employees spent most of their time at desks, the need for a room for quick coffee breaks or employee lunches grew. As skyscrapers, large commercial properties, and open-plan offices evolved during the early- to mid-20th century, plans for a dedicated staff kitchen began emerging. The notion of taking a “coffee break” first emerged in the early 1900s in conjunction with the shift toward an eight-hour workday. ![]() To better understand this essential space and its role in the modern workplace, let’s explore the break room’s history before looking toward the future of break room design. No matter how the office shifts and evolves, the break room will likely remain a vital part of its design. Providing the workforce with spaces conducive to disconnecting - even briefly - can also help reduce and prevent burnout, which has been a major concern among employees at all levels worldwide for the past few years. It also holds the power to boost productivity, bolster morale, and drive company culture.Įmployees who take breaks, even quick, five-minute “microbreaks,” typically experience increased energy and greater productivity. The modern break room has become a hub where employees can escape from their workstations, casually chat with each other, and have impromptu collaboration sessions. Today, these spaces are so much more than a place to grab a quick cup of stale coffee. Employee break rooms have long been used as a spot to provide workers with practical essentials. Once a cold, sterile, strictly utilitarian space, the humble break room has evolved to become an essential part of the modern workplace. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |