Office break areas: their importance and ways of organizing them

Contents:

• The need for break areas in the office environment
• Effective methods for creating employee break areas in the office space

Recently, organizations are increasingly emphasizing the importance of caring for their employees, but it's not always clear how to integrate this care into everyday practices. One of the most effective solutions is creating breakout areas in the office. This helps reduce employee stress, increase engagement, and create a more comfortable and enjoyable workplace environment.

In this article, the Skillbox Media Management team shares information about the benefits break areas can bring to companies and offers tips on how to organize them without significant financial investment.

The Need for Break Areas in the Office Environment

While many organizations are adapting to hybrid work models, many employees still face long hours and struggle to balance their professional responsibilities and personal lives. According to a survey conducted by Tiburon Research, only 20% of Russians have achieved their desired work-life balance, while 41% of respondents believe this is only partially possible.

Breakout areas are an effective and affordable way for workers to take breaks during the workday and prevent burnout. These spaces offer the opportunity not only to quickly grab a cup of coffee but also to truly unwind: enjoy the silence, take a break from work, or chat with colleagues on topics unrelated to work.

The Dynamic office, located in Texas, resembles a luxurious five-star hotel: onyx floors, bronze trim, soft lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, and the furniture is a work of designer art. Instead of the usual conference rooms, you can find lounges equipped with sofas, bookshelves, and vinyl players.

Scientific research confirms that frequent and short breaks contribute to increased Focus duration, improve engagement, and reduce fatigue. A method in which work is performed for an hour followed by a 20-minute break demonstrates more sustainable results compared to continuous work without breaks.

Thus, by organizing recreation areas, companies create an atmosphere that not only helps combat fatigue and burnout, but also increases productivity, engagement, and the overall well-being of employees.

Conceptual Development Specialist In the hotel industry, designer and creator of the Telegram channel "Otdlozhnu i vershu" (I'll Rest and Return).

The pandemic has radically transformed our perception of office work. For many, working from home, in slippers and pajamas, has become a habit, while the prospect of returning to the familiar gray offices is stressful.

Companies that create an environment that encourages people to spend time there are succeeding. This includes elements such as sleep pods, green areas, and meditation and fitness spaces. These concepts have long been adopted in the hotel industry and are increasingly being implemented in corporate offices. Thus, the office ceases to be exclusively a workplace and turns into a cozy environment for a full life.

A specialist in hotel business concepts, a creative designer and creator of the Telegram channel "Otdohnu i "I'll be back."

— The pandemic has radically changed the way we perceive office work. For many, it has become commonplace to work in home clothes, and returning to a familiar office environment is perceived as a source of stress.

The companies that create an atmosphere that encourages the desire to spend significant time there are enjoying success. This includes the presence of sleep pods, green areas, as well as spaces for meditation and fitness. We have long been implementing similar ideas in the hotel industry, and now they are increasingly penetrating office spaces. The office environment is transforming from a simple workspace into a comfortable space for a full life.

Effective methods for creating employee relaxation areas in the office space

The head office of T-Bank in Moscow is a vast space of 90 thousand square meters, reminiscent of a mini-city. Inside, you can find a clinic, a fitness room, a sauna, and relaxation rooms. There are also capsules for focused work and places for informal meetings.

However, drawing inspiration from successful examples doesn't necessarily mean immediately transforming an office into a full-fledged mini-city. In some cases, implementing a few specific solutions is enough to change the functionality of the space.

We spoke with Katerina Rodina, HR Director at metaLead. The company's Moscow office, which employs approximately 120 people, has created a true ecosystem for relaxation and informal interaction. There are midday workouts, yoga classes in the evening, and a sports area with pull-up bars and weights. The office also offers darts, mini-golf, chess, bookcrossing, and board games on Fridays. All of this has become an integral part of the office culture.

Katerina offers several recommendations for those looking to organize employee relaxation in the office without making significant changes.

Take initiative. Sometimes team members themselves make suggestions, such as, "Let's buy a board game," but more often than not, ideas come from the HR department. HR professionals should closely monitor employee interests and not be afraid to try new things.

"We once bought a darts board simply because I thought, 'Why not give it a try?' Even though no one had shown any interest in the game before. However, now some colleagues even have personalized darts: they've become so engrossed in the game that darts has become a new favorite ritual in our workplace," says Katerina.

Encourage your employees to take initiative as soon as they start expressing their ideas. Some of these suggestions may even be implemented independently. If you love coffee and want to organize tastings in the office, create and lead a coffee club.

This is how a community is formed: people don’t just They not only work together, but also share knowledge and interests, creating an atmosphere that is pleasant to return to.

“Yoga classes in our office are taught by an employee who is a certified instructor and has relevant experience. We learned about her qualifications and offered her to teach classes for an additional fee. As a result, she enjoys it, and the team is happy,” shares Katerina.

Explore a variety of activities. Some people may enjoy yoga classes twice a week, while others will be more attracted to activities such as mini-golf, chess, working out at the gym, or sharing books. There are also those who are happy to play Mafia or Mahjong on Friday evenings. The more options available, the more likely it is that everyone will find something they enjoy.

Organize rituals to accompany shared activities. People are more willing to participate in activities that have deep meaning. For example, a simple message in a work chat, "Yoga today at 7:00 PM," is unlikely to attract more than a couple of dedicated yoga enthusiasts who would have shown up anyway. The key is to engage as many employees as possible so they can find time to rest and recharge.

"Our designer creates posters for board games that take place on Fridays. We send these materials to the printing house for printing, then hang them up in the coffee shop and post them in the general chat. It may seem like a small thing, but it pays off: many employees actively participate," Katerina shares of her useful experience.

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