Many individuals think that purchasing a water cooler is really a waste of time and money, and argue that they cannot afford to buy something that is not essential to their business, but they could not be more wrong.
Most bosses think that a water cooler is just an excuse for staff to gather and stand around gossiping and wasting time. They believe that if people are just standing around talking they are not being productive.
In actual fact, investing in a water cooler does exactly the opposite; it gives staff members a chance to destress, let of steam and bring up things that may be bothering them in more casual surroundings. It can give colleagues the chance to clear the air about slight misunderstandings and get closer by sharing casual, personal stories and anecdotes.
The truth is that the water cooler has an ROI that snakes across the company in ways that most managers have no idea of such as:
Good Hydration: According to UK law, every business has to ensure that its employees have access to clean, safe drinking water, and no water could be cleaner or safer than that provided by an office water cooler. Dehydration, even in its mildest form, causes the brain to shrink or shrivel, which leads to short-term memory problems, impeded psychomotor functions, concentration levels and hand-eye coordination. Good hydration, on the other hand, helps the body to flush out toxins and keeps the immune system working optimally, which means less sick days.
Productivity Boost: Taking a break around the water cooler can help an employee focus on the task in hand. Most companies have designated break-times, but these are not always the best thing as many employees are at a critical stage of their work at that prescribed time so end up not taking a break. A quick trip to the water cooler refreshes employees in more ways than one.
More collaboration and innovation takes place around the water cooler than management is aware of, and this chatting, connecting and exchange of thoughts and ideas leads to better working teams and systems and a better bottom line for the business.
