Employee Wellbeing: Why you should provide fruit for your employees

Ensuring employee wellbeing can generate significant business benefits. These include higher productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved employee retention rates. Providing fresh fruit in the workplace is a simple but effective way to improve employee wellbeing.

Here Workplace Refreshments, who provide office fruit delivery in Nottingham, share their guide to what you need to know.

The benefits of providing fresh fruit in the workplace

Here are four specific benefits of providing fresh fruit in the workplace.

1. Improved physical health and wellbeing

Providing fresh fruit in the workplace can significantly improve the physical health and wellbeing of employees. Unlike sugary snacks and processed foods, fresh fruit is rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fibre that promote healthy digestion, support the immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

By incorporating fresh fruit into their diets, employees can maintain a healthier weight, lower their cholesterol levels and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases. In turn, this can lead to reduced healthcare costs for both employees and employers and increased energy levels and alertness, allowing employees to perform their job duties more efficiently.

2. Improved mental health and mood

In addition to its physical health benefits, providing fresh fruit in the workplace can also improve employees' mental health and mood. Fresh fruit is rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that promote brain health and reduce stress levels, leading to improved overall mood and mental clarity.

Studies have shown that consuming fresh fruit regularly can decrease the risk of depression and anxiety and help to improve cognitive function, memory and concentration. In the workplace, this can lead to improved job satisfaction and reduced stress levels, which can lead to increased employee engagement and productivity.

By prioritising employee mental health and wellbeing through healthy snack options, companies can create a positive and supportive work environment for their employees.

3. Increased productivity and concentration

Incorporating fresh fruit into the workplace can also improve employees' productivity and concentration levels.

Consuming fresh fruit provides the body with the necessary nutrients and energy needed to perform tasks more efficiently. It can also help to prevent mid-day energy crashes, allowing employees to maintain their focus and productivity levels throughout the workday.

Additionally, fresh fruit has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory and decision-making skills, all of which are essential for optimal workplace performance. By providing employees with healthy snack options, employers can promote a healthy and productive work environment that allows employees to perform at their best.

4. Positive impact on workplace culture and employee morale

Providing fresh fruit in the workplace can also have a positive impact on workplace culture and employee morale. By prioritising employee wellbeing and offering healthy snack options, employers can show that they care about their employees' health and happiness. This can lead to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty, as well as a more positive and supportive work environment.

Additionally, providing fresh fruit in the workplace can promote a culture of health and wellness, encouraging employees to make healthier choices both at work and in their personal lives. This can lead to a more engaged and motivated workforce, with employees feeling valued and supported by their employer.

Overall, incorporating fresh fruit into the workplace can have a positive impact on both employees and employers, improving workplace culture, morale and productivity.

How to implement a fruit program in the workplace

Implementing a fruit program in the workplace can be a cost-effective way to improve employee wellbeing and boost workplace productivity. Employers can purchase fresh fruit in bulk from local suppliers or supermarkets at a discounted rate. Some employers choose to have a dedicated fruit vendor or delivery service, which can offer a wider variety of fruits and convenient delivery options.

To encourage employee participation and feedback, companies can provide a survey or suggestion box to gather feedback on fruit preferences and encourage participation.

Employers can also create a positive workplace culture around healthy eating by hosting health and wellness events, providing nutritional information and recipes or promoting healthy snack alternatives through posters or company-wide communications. By prioritising employee wellbeing and promoting healthy eating habits, employers can create a healthier and more productive workplace culture.