Why Inclusion, Respect and Food Go Hand in Hand in Employee Retention

What if the key to employee retention wasn’t just better salaries or flashy perks, but something as fundamental as respect, inclusion, and… food? 

Inclusion and respect in the workplace aren’t abstract concepts, they directly impact engagement, loyalty, and long-term retention. 

Yet, recent data from Gallup reveals a concerning trend: only 37% of employees feel respected at work, the lowest level ever recorded in this survey. This decline signals a growing need for companies to rethink how they show respect and promote it in daily operations. 

One of the most tangible ways to do this? Food. 

Office meal programs do more than feed employees. 

In this article, we’ll explore how investing in food-related benefits, like Picnic’s solutions, can turn everyday meals into a powerful tool for boosting employee well-being, collaboration, and retention.

What is a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace?

A respectful and inclusive workplace is one where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute. It's more than just following the rules at work. It's about creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, treated fairly, and is happy. 

In a truly inclusive corporate culture, companies actively show respect and promote it by addressing bias in hiring, encouraging team collaboration, and implementing DEI initiatives that create opportunities for all employees to thrive.

It's important to create an environment that encourages employees to stay and be involved. Employee well-being is an indispensable factor in this equation, as workplaces that prioritize mental, emotional, and physical health tend to have higher satisfaction and productivity levels.

Benefits of Inclusion and Respect in the Workplace

Imagine walking into an office where you feel truly valued, not just as an employee, but as a person. Your ideas are heard, your background is celebrated, and even the lunch options reflect the diverse tastes of your team. 

That’s the power of inclusion and respect in the workplace, and it’s not just about feel-good moments. It has a direct impact on employee satisfaction, productivity, and even a company’s bottom line.

When employees feel respected, they stay. A study by McKinsey found that companies with diverse and inclusive teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors. 

And according to a report from Center for Talent Innovation, employees who experience a strong sense of belonging are 3.5 times more likely to contribute at their highest potential. In contrast, when respect is lacking, turnover spikes, costing companies valuable talent and increasing recruitment expenses.

And let’s talk well-being. Employee well-being goes beyond healthcare benefits. When inclusion drives respect, stress levels drop, collaboration improves, and teams function more effectively. 

Even small gestures—like providing culturally diverse meal options—enhance cultural appreciation in the workplace, foster team collaboration, and contribute to workplace equality.

In the end, fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes respect, it’s smart business. Investing in employee engagement strategies and a culture of respectful communication leads to higher morale, conflict resolution, and, ultimately, employee retention.

Practical Ways to Foster Respect

Building a workplace where inclusion and respect are more than just words requires intentional action. Employees want to feel heard, valued, and supported, and companies that show respect and promote it create environments where people thrive. 

Here are some key actions that help foster a respectful and inclusive workplace:

1. Implement Inclusive Hiring Practices

Hiring is often the first impression an organization makes on potential employees, and a bias in hiring can undermine efforts to build an inclusive workplace culture. Companies should implement diversity metrics to track hiring trends, offer workplace training to mitigate unconscious bias, and ensure leadership diversity is a priority. 

A transparent hiring process that values workplace diversity improves organizational culture and attracts top talent who want to work for a company that truly values them.

2. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue

A culture of respectful communication is essential for an inclusive corporate culture. Employees should feel comfortable voicing concerns, discussing challenges, and sharing perspectives without fear of retaliation. 

This can be achieved through workplace policies that support open dialogue, conflict resolution initiatives, and leadership that actively listens. Creating safe places to talk, like in meetings, anonymous feedback, or organized discussions, helps employees feel more satisfied.

3. Encourage Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a powerful way to build team collaboration, celebrate cultural appreciation in the workplace, and provide support networks for underrepresented employees. 

These groups, often formed around shared identities or experiences, allow employees to connect, advocate for change, and contribute to the company’s DEI initiatives. When businesses invest in ERGs, they signal a commitment to organizational transparency and employee retention strategies that go beyond surface-level inclusion.

Food Can Help Too: How Shared Meals Strengthen Employee Bonds?

Think about the last time you had a great conversation over a meal. There’s something about sharing food that naturally brings people together, making connections feel more personal and genuine. 

In the workplace, office meal programs serve a much greater purpose than just satisfying hunger—they create opportunities for team collaboration, strengthen organizational culture, and help break down hierarchical barriers between leadership and employees.

From an employee well-being perspective, meals also serve as a moment of pause in a busy workday, an opportunity to recharge, de-stress, and connect with colleagues on a human level. Shared meals are a simple yet effective way to show respect and promote it, reinforcing the idea that every employee’s presence and contributions matter.

Leadership, too, can benefit from engaging in shared meals with their teams. Instead of rigid, formal interactions, these moments allow leaders to be more approachable, fostering respectful communication and breaking down barriers between different levels of the organization.

Strategies to Foster Inclusion and Respect with Food

Whether through everyday meals, special events, or simply accommodating different dietary needs, food can be a powerful way to show respect and promote it. Here are three key ways businesses can use food to cultivate an inclusive workplace culture:

1. Culturally Inclusive Meal Options

Providing diverse meal options is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to foster workplace diversity and cultural appreciation in the workplace. Employees come from different backgrounds, and offering meals that reflect those cultures sends a strong message: everyone is valued. 

Companies that implement office meal programs with various cuisines and dietary choices demonstrate organizational transparency and commitment to workplace equality.

2. Celebrating Diversity Through Food Events

Hosting food-themed events is a fun and effective way to reinforce an inclusive corporate culture. Whether it’s a global potluck, a company-sponsored multicultural lunch, or a special celebration for cultural heritage months, food creates a welcoming space for employees to share traditions and stories.

3. Accommodating Dietary Needs

Offering vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, or allergen-friendly options ensures that all employees feel included in workplace meals. Ignoring dietary needs can unintentionally create exclusion, while making thoughtful accommodations shows dignity and respect. Businesses that take this step actively contribute to employee retention strategies, demonstrating care for their teams beyond just productivity.

Measuring Inclusion and Respect

To ensure inclusion and respect in the workplace are more than just words, companies must track their impact through concrete data and employee feedback. Regular surveys and open feedback channels help gauge whether employees feel valued, supported, and included. 

Monitoring employee satisfaction, team collaboration, and perceptions of workplace equality provides insight into areas that need improvement. Transparent communication and responsiveness to employee concerns build trust and strengthen employee retention strategies.

Beyond feedback, businesses should track diversity metrics such as leadership diversity, bias in hiring, and promotion rates. Analyzing pay equity, representation across departments, and turnover rates helps identify gaps in workplace policies and DEI initiatives. 

Try Picnic

When employees feel valued and included, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to their organization. Food plays a unique part in fostering these connections, whether through cultural appreciation in the workplace, team-building through food, or simply showing employees that their time and preferences matter.

At Picnic, we believe that meals can be more than just a break in the day, they can be a tool for strengthening workplace relationships and reinforcing an inclusive corporate culture. By offering diverse, flexible, and convenient meal options, Picnic helps companies create a more engaging and supportive environment. 

Ready to see how food can make a difference in your workplace? Try Picnic today and take the first step toward a more inclusive, connected, and satisfied team.

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