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You’ve undoubtedly heard the studies that say break rooms and fun work perks translate to happier, more productive employees. But some of the suggestions, like unlimited free snacks and drinks or incorporating sleep pods for employees to take a quick nap, may not be practical for your company, either in budget or in design. So, how can you make the work environment more fun for your employees, without blowing the budget? By turning a VersaTube Carport into an outdoor break room! It’s a cost-effective way to make a positive impact on employee satisfaction. Consider these points:

Employees will feel appreciated

What’s one of the biggest reasons employees give for leaving their jobs? It’s not their salary or how many vacation days they have. One of the biggest reasons is that they feel unappreciated by their manager! Praise and recognition can come in many forms, from verbal recognition to a bonus, and one way you can show your employees that you appreciate them is by improving their workspace. If you add an outdoor break room, you’re showing that you care to go above most current workplace standards to provide extra space for your employees to enjoy.

Company culture is important

According to this report, put out by well-recognized Tiny Pulse, employees are 24% more likely to quit if they don’t like their company’s culture. Again, like feeling appreciated, that ranks higher than their salary and other benefits. Company culture makes up many things, including mission statement, business ethics, and overall personality, but one of the components of company culture is the work environment. The idea is that improving the work environment can improve employee retention, and as everyone knows, turnover is costly.

It’s the perfect solution for space constraints

Maybe your business is a small shop and you don’t have room for anything but the tiniest breakroom (or maybe none at all!). In that case, an outdoor break room will be a lifesaver! A VersaTube carport comes in a variety of sizes (and you have the option to do a custom design), plus it can be assembled over a bare earth or gravel foundation, making it adaptable to your available space. As the owner or manager, even in a small business, you probably have a private office, and in general, the whole space is yours so you’re always going to feel at home. But for your employees, an outdoor break room they can slip away to for a personal phone call or a mental break is invaluable!

Are you convinced that an outdoor break room would be a valuable addition to your business? If so, take a look at our Carport Models, or our Lean-To’s, either of which would be a great starting point for the space. As you decide which model and size would work for you, consider how it will be used. Here are a few ideas.

• Eating area - add patio tables and chairs or classic picnic tables and they’ll be filled with employees eating their lunch and enjoying warm days

• BBQ area - place a couple of charcoal grills on the perimeter and some of your employees might love to throw a burger on for their lunch occasionally. A bbq area is great for company events and food days as well.

• Lounge furniture - comfortable, lounge-style furniture will encourage employees to use the break room for a relaxing break and space to recharge

• Fun zone - add a ping pong table or other games. Employees who have fun socializing are more effective at collaborating on their work!

Got ideas for a custom outdoor break room? Contact us and we’ll help you decide which VersaTube structure will suit best!