My employer’s “subsidised” meal is unpalatable
Julius Kamau carries a plate as he joins other Kenyans in procession in Nairobi streets on July 7,2022 as they protested against high cost of living in the Country during Saba Saba.
What you need to know:
- Meal benefits create convenience that boosts business
- But employers don't have to maintain this benefit at a time when staff have different dietary preferences
Does my employer really have to provide us with food? I totally dislike the food, and feel more dissatisfied that I have to contribute part of my salary towards this so-called benefit. The meal policy is so rigid, to an extend that I feel coerced to eat what is provided. The menu for staff with special dietary needs is worse. While our workplace is not so far off from a decent shopping mall, the unwritten rule is that time is precious as the supervisors prefer to keep an eye on everyone. I feel restricted and want freedom to get my own food. Why do employers treat their staff like high schoolers?
Societal changes are influencing the kind of benefits employers offer, and now quietly creeping into the free or subsidised meal benefit that seem to have served many employers well. The workplace is now cross-generational and practices that motivated the oldies do not appeal to younger staff, now Gen Zs and Millennials. I say this because some time back, employers who provided meals to their staff were considered progressive and employers of choice, not only locally but also globally. But what worked then is not working now, and employers need to create the much needed flexibility. And if you dismiss this benefit , some of your workmates would disagree with you. So, this is a mixed bag.
Why do employers maintain this benefit at a time when staff have different dietary preferences? Meal benefits create convenience that boosts business as staff have their meals on time and resume work at appointed time, ensuring no loss of work hours. Another benefit that may seem counterproductive is retention. Employers believe that many employees consider this a key retention benefit, resulting in an extended service even when other opportunities emerge.
But the biggest and most important reason is to ensure staff are well nourished and comfortable to perform their work, thus fulfilling their labour requirements. There is an increasing shift to put the needs of staff first, and employers need to look for ways to provide healthy eating options, with many young people being drawn to vegetarian, plant based and vegan diets.
I suggest that staff be given the freedom to choose whether to subscribe to company meals, especially where they are expected to contribute. Some employers are silent about this because they need scale to keep the benefit affordable, but they have to look for other ways to cut costs. A few vendors may be selected to deliver food to those who opt out of the company meal benefit.
