Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment
Hormel® Compleats® meals help office workers through their daily routine with surprising office culture survey stats, expert tips on how to lighten up at the office and a convenient new lunch option for desk-bound workers.
It takes a lot for office workers to balance their time effectively during the work day- juggling difficult co-workers, a stressful workload and their own sanity. The makers of Hormel® Compleats® know how challenging it can be, which is why they are offering office workers tips on how to maintain a healthy work environment that they can appreciate, both mentally and nutritionally.
Hormel® Compleats® Meals Office Culture Survey
The average American office worker must face not only his/her own workload but also the chatty co-workers, annoying office catchphrases and frightening office fridges that greet them everyday. All this is enough to make any cube dweller long for lunch breaks as a respite from the madness!
- The Desk Is The New Water Cooler. A majority of office workers in America can’t get away from office gossip, as most of it takes place right at their desk or a co-worker’s desk (53 percent), rather than somewhere outside their workspace such as the water cooler (just 2 percent) or the kitchen or lunch room (22 percent).
- Catchphrases That Drive You Crazy. When complimenting employees, the boss should try not to use office phrases that make people batty. The top three clichés that drive office workers nuts? “Think outside the box” (22 percent), “Team Player” (20 percent), and “Shoot me an email” (19 percent).
- Flattery Doesn’t Get You Everywhere. Brownnosers are a major office offender. Among office workers familiar with NBC’s “The Office,” the character they’d least like to get stuck in an elevator with is irritating brownnoser Dwight Schrute, played by Rainn Wilson (27 percent).
- A Lack of Long-Lasting Lunches. Unfortunately, many office workers aren’t satisfied by their desktop dining: nearly half (46 percent) say they feel hungry again within just three hours of their midday meal.
Healthy Workplace Tips
Workplace Humor Expert Scott Christopher offers tips on how to lighten up at the office to stay sane throughout the work day.
- Mini-Mental Vacation: Adorn your workspace with pictures of loved ones and memories of good times. These serve as tangible reminders to keep a level head and to keep things in perspective. When your boss is yelling about how the memo was printed on the wrong color paper, take a mental break and remember what’s really important in the grand scheme of things.
- Constructive Chatter: If you are surrounded by negative personalities—the brownnoser, gossiper, or tattler—commit to avoiding negative conversations one day a week. That day, only say positive things to people. Sure, you may agree with their laundry list of gripes, put downs, complaints, accusations, and other corrosive comments, but keep them to yourself. You’ll feel better by day’s end.
- $4 A Gallon And Climbing: Most office workers are looking for affordable meal options, so why not save money by bringing something healthy from home? For an average retail price of $2.69, shelf-stable Hormel® Compleats® meals, created for a healthy lifestyle, can be stored in a desk drawer and are ready in just 90 seconds. You’ll be happier and more at ease if you live within your budget while still enjoying a satisfying mid-day meal.
- Three O’clock Rock: Each afternoon invite co-workers to a spacious area for a break and a little exercise. Have a different employee select a song from their music collection and for 3-5 minutes blast it out for all to enjoy. Stretch your legs, do a dance, sing along, and laugh out loud. This will help refocus your creative energies and form bonds with your cube mates.
Hormel® Compleats® Healthy, Microwave Meals
Introducing, a new line of Hormel® Compleats® meals – created for a healthy lifestyle. These delicious and balanced lunch options fit into any busy schedule. Meeting the USDA guidelines for “healthy lifestyle”, all four varieties of the new line of Hormel® Compleats® meals boast 320 calories or less and up to 22 grams of protein for a satisfying midday meal.
This new line of microwaveable meals provide sustenance with lean meats, hearty vegetables and rich, flavorful spices, keeping office workers satisfied long into the afternoon. The meals are easily portable, can be stored inside a desk drawer or briefcase, and are ready in just 90 seconds – up to six times faster than most frozen meals.
Varieties include:
- Beef Steak & Peppers
in a savory sauce over noodles
- Homestyle Beef
with mashed potatoes & gravy
- Santa Fe Style Chicken
with rice, black beans & fire roasted corn
- Sesame Chicken
with Oriental vegetables & pasta
About Scott Christopher
An expert on the effect of having fun in the office, Scott is co-author of the new book, The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up, and a regular humor columnist for Workplace HR magazine. He currently gives speeches and seminars that touch hearts and split sides.
For More Information
For more information on the Hormel® Compleats® meals “Office Culture” survey or to schedule an interview with Scott Christopher, contact Diane Lewis at diane.lewis@bm.com or 312-596-3515. Visit www.hormelfoods.com/compleats for information on the new, healthy line of Hormel® Compleats® shelf-stable, microwaveable meals.
*The Hormel® Compleats® “Office Culture” survey was conducted by Kelton Research between March 6 and March 11, 2008, of 501 nationally representative American office workers ages 18 and above. The results indicate a margin of error +/- 4.4 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.