The good old days are gone when corporate employees waited for lunch breaks and snack time to catch up with colleagues in the cafeteria. The so-called new-normal approach for the corporate has begun in the year 2020. With offices slowly resuming, getting back to work after being at home for over a year is no less than an entirely new experience.
Returning to the Office: A New Experience
With offices gradually reopening after over a year of remote work, employees face an entirely new experience.
Changes in Food Options
The office food court no longer offers elaborate buffets or varied cuisines. Instead, employees bring lunchboxes from home or choose pre-packed meals. Meanwhile, some companies have outsourced kitchens that prepare and serve food safely and hygienically in the cafeteria.
New Office Safety Protocols
As offices operate at limited capacity worldwide, employees notice significant changes. Security guards wear masks and conduct thermal screening at entry and exit points. Social distancing markers guide movement throughout the office. Sanitization tunnels, open windows, and adjusted layouts maintain fresh air flow and ensure six feet of separation between employees.
Cafeteria Precautions
Employees must follow strict safety measures before entering the cafeteria. They also need to observe additional precautions before eating to minimize health risks.
There is a “reservation” to be made to dine at the office cafeteria. That is just the first line to toe if you want to have a socially distanced meal with a colleague. Next comes a time frame within which to finish the meal. Warning bells would go off, announcing a missed deadline.
- Self-service is not allowed anymore. The menu has changed in favor of immunity-boosting food items.
- Institutional cafeterias in the current situation would also have a high level of digital intervention. Leading institutional catering companies are investing heavily in technology in-order to be able to adhere to the COVID-19 norms of social distancing and being contact-less.
- The food service companies are also minimizing cash transactions by introducing a variety of digital payment methods.
There are some tips which needs to be followed so you can safely enjoy a meal at work:
Thermal screening process to be followed:
The body temperature screening process should be followed for each and every employee in every entry and exit points of the food court.
Social distancing to be the followed:
The constant focus has been on maintaining social distancing. Ensuring a safe distance from colleagues and cafeteria staff is necessary. While the food itself is not a source of contamination owing to best-in-class safety and hygiene practices implemented in cafeterias while preparing, serving, portioning it, proximity to others is a cause for concern.
Respiratory droplets spread the virus, so individuals should keep at least six feet (2 meters) apart.
Frequent sanitizing the surfaces:
Avoid direct contact with surfaces, especially frequently touched ones. Clean and disinfect these touchpoints regularly. If you do touch them, wash or sanitize your hands immediately to reduce the risk of contamination.
Modify your dietary habits:
A robust immune system helps stay healthy and keep illnesses away. It is important to be cautious about what’s on your plate and ensure your diet is nutritious and well-balanced. Increasing your in-take of immunity-boosting foods used in traditional Indian cooking such as ginger, lime, garlic, and turmeric, and consuming more fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals will work wonders.
Follow safety protocols:
Adhering to company guidelines at office cafeterias not only makes the experience safe but comfortable too. Some companies have even come up with carefully designed protocols such as time slots for employees to enter cafeterias. Simple measures such as sitting diagonally from each other, placing only one chair each around each table will also improve safety. Every employee should follow the rules and take simple measures to eliminate risks now and in the future.