Healthy workers are more productive, and employers can contribute to a healthy workforce by providing the right foods, a properly equipped employee dining area and a pleasant atmosphere. These things are easy to achieve and require no major investment. Use the tips below to create a healthier workplace.

Optimise the functionality of the employee dining area, for instance, by providing:

• plenty of chairs and tables;  
• potable water;  
• tools and products for washing dishes;
• appliances for storing or heating food products and for boiling water;
• rubbish bins with lids.

Other important factors are hygiene and cleanliness. A pleasant, clean dining area will positively influence the eating habits of your employees.

1. Are there any vending machines in the employee dining area? Then make sure to include plenty of healthy options, such as plain water, cereal bars, dry biscuits, dried fruits and raisin mixes. Less healthy options, such as soft drinks, sugary waffles, chocolate bars, etc. should make up less than one third of the foods and beverages available.
2. Provide a vending machine with a cooling system for a range of fresh fruits and dairy options.
3. Place healthy food options at eye level and make sure they cost less than the non-healthy options.  
4. Ban extremely unhealthy foods and beverages entirely, such as crisps, energy drinks, foods with high fat or sugar content, etc.
5. Ensure that the dining area is properly ventilated.
6. Put flyscreen mesh in front of windows and vents to prevent bugs and critters from entering the area.
7. Establish a procedure for cleaning dishes, etc. List the tools and cleaning products to be used.
8. Encourage employees to wash their hands prior to food consumption, especially when they come into contact with dirty surfaces or chemicals during the performance of their work.
9. Prevent rubbish from piling up. Provide clean and easily recognisable rubbish bins with lids. Remove any rubbish as soon as possible.  
10. Make sure that the dining area is not used as a general thoroughfare.

Mensura offers a range of workshops and training courses to help promote a healthy lifestyle among employees:

• Workshop: A balanced diet
• Workshop: Healthy lifestyle
• Workshop: Digital balance
• Workshop: Get healthy by moving more
• Workshop: Mindfulness

Questions? Simply contact us via email at info.edpb@mensura.be.