The latest trend for stressed staff? Recharge stations

As February drags on and employees fall back into their usual habits, motivation and enthusiasm may be starting to wane. Australian companies are tackling this through ‘recharge stations’ – a new report from Employment Office has revealed.

Just under half (49.6%) of Australian companies are implementing recharge stations for staff to take a quick break away from work to rest, relax and recharge.

While on the surface this may sound like an appropriation of the ‘sleep pods’ and rec-rooms found in companies such as Google, the recharge stations appear to take their cues as much from these innovations as they do more traditional workplace areas.

The study found these stations can include games rooms (9%), rest and meditation spaces (30%) or rooms stocked with snacks and a television (48%).

“Promoting a healthy and happy workplace is really the aim.  Any steps you take to create a recharge station should positively influence the work environment by increasing employee engagement and team cohesiveness which leads to reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and improved corporate image,” Tudor Marsden-Huggins, managing director at Employment Office, said.

Marsden-Huggins added that these rooms are essential to help combat stress at work and stop it from snowballing into serious physical or psychological problems. However, an employer must be careful to ensure the recharge areas suit the organisation and its culture, so don’t go installing that bowling alley just yet.

“A meditation room might be appreciated by staff working in a noisy, intense environment, while a games room might be best for employees engaged in repetitive work who need a motivating break. Recharge zones have to be used responsibly and monitored, and it all depends on your office environment to determine what type of recharge station is appropriate and beneficial,” Marsden-Huggins said.

Do you have a recharge zone in your workplace? Why/why not?