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Firms Feed Workers to Boost Morale

It's not a raise, but perk goes long way in tough times, managers say

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 11, 2009 1:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – The way to employee satisfaction is apparently through their stomachs. Businesses slicing jobs and benefits in tough times are finding that free food is a cheap way to boost worker morale, the Boston Globe reports. The majority of financial officers recently surveyed—68%—is taking steps to boost employee spirits. Increasing contact was the top approach, but experts say food is also effective.

“It appeals to our need for relatedness,” says a communications professor. “You kind of break through that barrier when you sit down and break bread together.” Adds one payroll manager, “The ones we keep, we want to take care of.” But it’s not a selfless move: Companies need the employees that remain post-layoffs to stick around. “Feed ‘em and they’ll come," the manager notes.

[Images (1)]

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Employers are offering cheap perks like free food to boost worker morale. (Shutter stock)

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It instantly changed the mood of the building. And it's just a Popsicle.
- Christina Carico, of William A. Berry & Son

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

mockingbird

Jun 12, 2009 12:19 PM CDT

Meh, I dunno. Granted, a Popsicle is lame, but the chance and ability to break bread really does lead to a sense of bondedness. It's Machiavellian when used in this context, but the rule still holds.

schmidtkoff

Jun 12, 2009 3:47 AM CDT

I work for at a facility owned by Psychiatric Solutions, inc. they took over our previous company any uncerimoniously, surgically cut benefits. they stopped any and all matching of 401k contributions, refused to pay a night shift differntial, then eliminated holiday overtime pay for: 4th of july, labor day, memorial day, personal holiday, they raised the price of meals 1.00 or perhaps more, and refused a 3percent raise due to too many workman comp cases due to resident to staff assaults. the WORST company to work for.l

Robert_Dada

Jun 11, 2009 11:09 AM CDT

I've been there recently. No, it doesn't work at all. It's just that people don't call out the bullshit of it all which gives executive management the impression that it is a morale booster. Nobody under executive management is fooled at all.

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food • layoffs • recession • office • employee • morale

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Firms Feed Workers to Boost Morale