Coffee machines in the office – are they a good idea? We’re not talking about one of those small coffee pod machines, we’re talking about the proper machines that you find in shops or at gas stations. You fill them up with beans, then people can press a button and get a drink made for them. Adding one of these to your office could be a fantastic idea, or it could be an awful one. How will you know!? Well, learning the pros and cons can help you make a better decision!
Pro: Improved office social interactions
A coffee machine can act as a water cooler in that it encourages people to stand up and gather around one location. This can help to improve office social interactions, bringing your employees closer together as a team. It can boost morale as well, which is one of the reasons a lot of companies install them.
Con: Constant maintenance required
One downside of coffee machines is that someone has to maintain them. Someone needs to clean the machine regularly, keep the beans filled up, and look for any problems. The issue is, there are so many things that can go wrong with a big coffee machine. As seen on the Humphrey Products website, many coffee dispensing machines have special valves to control the liquid. If this breaks, it can cause a huge mess – and be annoying to fix. The ongoing maintenance can be too much for people to handle, meaning it isn’t an idea for your office.
Pro: Help your employees focus
Ah caffeine, it’s a powerful thing. Having a coffee machine in your office means your employees have something to help them focus when they’re feeling hungover or a bit lethargic. Whether it’s a coffee boost in the morning, or a pick-me-up after lunch, your coffee machine can come in handy! It can put an end to tiredness in the office, possibly helping some of your workers perform to higher standards.
Con: One more safety hazard
Ultimately, having a machine like this in your office is just another safety hazard. We mentioned malfunctions earlier, and a broken coffee machine could cause all sorts of dangers to an office environment. This includes water leaking everywhere – which is never ideal with so much electrical equipment nearby. Also, the size of a coffee machine is technically a bit of a hazard. What if it tips and falls on someone? You should also think about the wiring and cables – where will they go? Can they be hidden or will it be another trip hazard? All of these possibilities must be thought about before you buy anything.
When all’s said and done, the decision is completely up to you. If you can afford a coffee machine and have someone that will maintain it, then it might be a great purchase. The purpose of this article isn’t to persuade you to do one thing or the other. Instead, it’s more to help you think deeply on the decision, ensuring you make the right one.
