A quarter of employees want their companies to support taking full lunch breaks to place greater importance on healthy eating in the workplace. Another quarter of employees want businesses to encourage people to eat away from their desks. And an additional quarter of staff want more vegan options at work, with one in eight employees in support of offices becoming ‘meat-free’, according to a new study.
Companies are being urged particularly by younger generations to consider their workforce’s diets and lifestyles to increase the focus on health, wellbeing and sustainability as we approach Veganuary. With veganism on the rise, particularly among young people, companies must accommodate vegans’ needs or risk losing the next generations of Gen Z talent, according to the study carried out by Ramona’s; a Mediterranean foods manufacturer specialising in houmous and falafel.
The research highlights that over a quarter (26%) of under-35s would like their company to provide better support for vegan options at work; whereas only 15% of those 35 and over requested more support for vegan food options.
RISING VEGANISM
Over 580,000 people participated in Veganuary in 2021 and 825 new vegan products and menus launched for the awareness day last year. Veganism is growing in popularity year on year, with Google Search Trends showing a 195% increase in searches for ‘vegan’ in the last year, compared with searches for ‘vegetarian’. The cities with the biggest interest in a vegan lifestyle are Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Norwich and Cardiff.
The 2021 Lunch & UK Workers Survey asked employees from 133 companies in the UK about their eating habits during work hours. Data from the study revealed how companies can better support their employees to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
SUPPORTING HEALTHIER OPTIONS
With Veganuary days away, companies are being encouraged to make plant-based food and drink more accessible to their staff. Almost a quarter of employees have expressed concerns that companies aren’t doing enough to support vegan options, which is causing an average of two employees in every UK small business to regularly skip lunch. According to the study, some 12% of UK companies are said to have stopped offering healthy food choices altogether. Here’s what employees want from their companies in the New Year:
- One in eight employees would support their company in becoming ‘meat-free’. For employees under 25 years of age, this figure rises to one in four.
- UK companies are not being inclusive enough for those with alternative dietary choices — 40% of employees want their company to provide more vegetarian or vegan food options.
- A quarter of employees want businesses to encourage people to eat away from their desks. A further 25% want their companies to support taking full lunch breaks to place greater importance on healthy eating in the workplace.
- Two in five employees would like their company to offer a lunch scheme that promotes healthy eating across the entire workforce. People also placed high importance on healthy snack options for the office.
REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT
Ramona Hazan, Founder of Ramona’s, believes that companies should be doing more to accommodate multiple lifestyle choices in the workplace. “2021 was a really popular year for meat-free dieting and the momentum doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. According to Waitrose & Partner’s Food & Drink Report 21-22, ‘Climatarianism’, a diet focused on reducing your carbon footprint, is gaining popularity, with consumers more conscious than ever before of their impact on their environment,” pointed out Hazan. “Following last year’s Veganuary initiative, 82% of participants maintained a dramatic reduction in their animal product consumption, with 40% of those who had participated planning on staying vegan full time.
The findings from the research show that workers are really struggling with healthy eating in the workplace. “Employers have to be more aware of what they’re providing for their vegan members of staff, and for workers looking to embrace more green and eco-friendly initiatives,” added Hazan. “In the meantime, for those who find it easier to ‘grab and go’, supermarkets are presenting vegan lunch options for workers who are conscious of the need to eat healthily. Sainsbury’s ‘Lunch’ concept, for instance, offers workers the chance to choose healthy and nutritious lunches that don’t compromise on taste and convenience, whilst still appealing to vegans and vegetarians.”
Survey respondents also need support with leading healthier lifestyles, rebealed the study. Findings show that:
- 28% of employees would like to see their companies offer gym discounts and memberships.
- 23% want employers to encourage finishing work on time.
- 20% would like their company to offer mental health support to help with workplace pressures.
- 25% ask for more flexible working hours
SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS & TARGETS
“Companies in the UK should be embracing more vegan-friendly offices because it can help with recruitment and retention of staff. Promoting a vegan-friendly office can help attract candidates for recruitment purposes and it’s also a good way to demonstrate the type of culture you have in your business, i.e. a culture that is more open, welcoming, inclusive and environmentally conscious around sustainability,” commented Tracey Hudson, Executive Director at the HR Dept.
“With Veganuary coming up, some employers may choose to offer vegan food for any buffets or events that they put on during January. Whereas longer term goals could be focused on sustainably sourced desks and other office equipment. Getting rid of those old leather chairs, for example, and replacing them with a sustainable option that doesn’t include animal products. For those companies with sustainable targets, embracing vegan-friendly office spaces could have a great impact.”
Around 84% of Gen Z staff confirm that current employee benefits packages on offer are not suitable for them or their needs; and instead seek more wellbeing-related life-style benefits, according to the 2021 Employee Benefits, Health and Wellbeing Survey. Click here to read more.
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