For quite some time we've been reading that small business owners want to expand their teams, but are having a hard time finding the qualified candidates. So here's a question to consider: If the path to your small business is paved with snack foods, will desirable recruits start pounding at your door, wanting to get in?
An article in USA Today said that according to an informal survey by Peapod, free snacks are the key to employee happiness among some high tech firm employees -- ranking as the second most desirable non-traditional perk, right after game rooms.
Further, it seems that having a good assortment of free snacks handy is particularly important to Millennials, so if that's the demographic you need to bring on board, you may want to push "stock up on snacks" higher on your to-do list.
However, if you're planning to open your wallet and start satisfying your employees' hunger pangs, you need to know what you're getting into so you're ready for the problems that might arise.
When I started to provide food at one of my companies, I quickly learned a lesson that all restaurant owners know: employees will walk out the back door with food and take it home with them. This is just a fact of life. You will experience "snack shrinkage." Of course, some employees leave with reams of paper and other small items, so this isn't really anything specific to snack foods.
Stacy Williams, who is the Director of Consumer Experience and Operations at her company, SERVIZ, makes a good observation that applies to many small businesses and startups.
"Buying snacks for the office can be tricky and if not done with care can end up alienating rather than motivating employees. Especially at a startup where there usually isn't an office manager dedicated to these things on the payroll yet," she explains.
When she started buying snacks for her team she asked for input, but this "quickly spun
out of control as I started getting too many individual requests for specific items no one else wanted and I noticed some things were running low too quickly which meant people were 'hoarding' them in their desks or taking food home," Stacy says.
She scaled back on the requests, noted dietary restrictions and eventually everyone settled into a routine.
Spoiled fruit
James Armstrong of Wooden Blinds Direct had similar hassles when they decided to start bringing in fresh fruit: "Initially it was a great success, but problems with the quality and selection of fruit soon emerged, and low level conflicts began around certain employees taking all the choice pieces for themselves."
They decided that it just wasn't worth the trouble and cancelled the order.
Something that's fundamental for everyone to understand is that the snacks aren't "free." Ultimately, the money comes from payroll as do all other benefits. And since we're on the topic of money, it's important to know when you can feed your crew without getting into trouble with the IRS.
Bringing Uncle Sam to the table
The IRS has two tests that must be met for meals to be excluded from income tax reporting requirements:
The meal must be served on the premises, and
The meal must be furnished for the convenience of the employer.
Rakini Chinery, who owns Allan's Flowers & More in Prescott, Arizona, highlights that second IRS requirement in their approach to offering snacks.
"I don't offer snacks all the time but I do stock snacks and drinks during our major holidays. I feel it is a great perk to offer my employees who are putting in a lot of extra hours. They love having the snacks available and I really believe it helps their production," Rakini explains.
What has your experience been with workplace snacks? Do they sweeten productivity or have you soured on the whole thing?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.