What is our Global Eating at Work survey? 

At Eurest, we want to back up our workplace catering solutions with real insights into what drives your teams. To take a deeper dive into what employees want from their workplace experiences, our parent company Compass Group collaborated with global intelligence agency Mintel to carry out our Global Eating at Work Survey. It is one of the largest inter-generational surveys of its kind, analysing insights from 35,000 global workers across 26 countries on their workplace preferences, including views on eating at work, sustainability, digital adoption, health and mental wellbeing. Keep reading to find out what our key findings were.

Overall consumer trends

The pandemic was a turning point for businesses and individuals and continues to impact the way in which both operate and reflect on what is important to them. With the addition of the cost-of-living crisis, trends have inevitably shifted. Most significantly:

• Holistic health – one of the biggest and most obvious changes to come out of the past few years is the greater awareness and prioritisation of a holistic approach to health management
• Building resilience – consumers are now placing a lot of value on being resilient. The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have forced people into having to adapt quickly and efficiently, consolidating the need for and importance of resilience
• Reassessing values – people are now more in tune with the things that are important to them and the desire to live by their own personal moral code
• Digital lives – technology and connectivity have transformed and are continuing to change everyday life for us all. The contact free world we found ourselves living in during the pandemic accelerated the need for brands, companies and people to invest in their digital capabilities. This took convenience to a whole new level, and we found technology integrating itself into even more areas of everyday life. As a result, we are generally more comfortable using technology.

Consumers will seek convenience, value and new experiences…After undergoing years of the pandemic and all-time inflationary highs, consumers are increasingly interested in dining out where they can easily satisfy their cravings through unique menu items that offer a balance of health and comfort”

– Pooja Lal, Foodservice Analyst – Mintel Menu Insights

Australian workplace trends: productivity and food

Our survey found that productivity and food go hand in hand for Australian workers. Eating and drinking during breaks allows them to energise and restore themselves, leading to an increase in overall productivity.

What do Australian workers usually do on their breaks? 

So, if food and drink play such a big part in employee break activity and productivity, what does this mean for employers? Businesses should be looking to address and satiate this need for workers. Providing a dedicated break area with a micromarket, an onsite café, restaurant or canteen will positively affect not only productivity, but also the attitude of workers towards their employers. It also offers a palpable differentiation between working from home and coming into the office; broader workplace food and drink options tip the balance in favour of coming in.

Experience

The provision of food at work remains a major benefit for all employees, but it’s becoming even more important for attracting new talent and advocacy. As the younger generations saturate the workforce, the demand for workplace food provision will continue to grow and extend beyond the need to refuel and nourish the body. Cafes and restaurants also provide a space to socialise, relax and satisfactorily take moments throughout the day away from work stresses. The impact this has on workplace communities and overall wellbeing is also highly significant. The whole experience is important.