Bringing Down The Costs Of Your Break Room Without Compromising On Benefits

Employee burnout is a significant and concerning problem for any entrepreneur, with employees at the end of their tether far less likely to produce good work, and at a generally higher risk of needing to take time off. That’s an issue, and it’s one that entrepreneurs should always aim to address with proactive steps such as break rooms. 

Studies revealing that more than 60% of employees would be more likely to take much-needed breaks if they had a break room especially highlight the importance of this step. Unfortunately, for entrepreneurs already juggling their finances, break rooms that can cost in the thousands to run each year can often feel like a financial stretch too far. 

Unfortunately, the losses possible from not taking this step mean that this is a catch-22 situation in many instances. Luckily, it is possible to run a break room for less and still not miss out on much-needed benefits as a result, and we’re going to consider how.

# 1 – Apply your expertise to break supplies

While you don’t need to go all out with the steady supply of drinks, fruit, and other treats that high-end businesses offer, supplying basics like healthy drink options and teas and coffees can boost morale. To make sure that even these additions don’t break the bank, however, it’s always worth avoiding buying single and typically expensive jars of coffee or protein powder (for your health-conscious employees) in place of dealings with wholesale protein powder and hot drinks suppliers that will prove far cheaper in the long run. That way, you can stock up once and not have to worry about break room supplies, or expenditure, for months.

# 2 – Cut back on screens

It’s always tempting to stick a television or two around the break area, but this isn’t necessarily the right thing for costs or output. After all, time away from a screen is perhaps the most valuable aspect of break rooms in the first place, while the costs of running a television that’ll likely be left on for large periods of the day could add up fast. Instead, cut back on screens and keep your electricity bills far more reasonable by stocking only important electricals like a fridge, a microwave, and a coffee machine.

# 3 – Do away with vending machines

If you want your break room to look the part and potentially provide some profit, then you might consider vending machines. Unfortunately, vending machines that cost an average of $300-$500 a year to run are unlikely to bring any real profits and probably won’t impress your team all that much anyway. Instead, you may be far better off just sticking with those wholesale basics, and letting your team bring their own additions if they feel the need to.

Break rooms are great for breaking down the barriers of employee burnout, but they can soon become sources of resentment if they’re eating up major company profits. Avoid that by cutting costs where possible with the help of these tips.