December Workplace Insights and Trends Fresh Out the Pantry
How thriving employees, connection, and pea protein are shaping the future of work.
✍️ Written by Rebecca Ross
🕚 9-Minute Read • Published Friday, December 6
Live footage of you in the office this December:
Listen, it may feel like Home Alone while everyone is out of the office, but that doesn't mean the workplace stops evolving. That's why we can't leave you hanging! We're happy to unwrap all the workplace insights that came across our desk from Gallup’s latest report on thriving employees to the science of connection to the rise of pea protein.
Let’s dive into the trends and discover how exactly you can maximize your pantry efforts to rise to the occasion:
Is your workforce thriving or just surviving?
According to Gallup–healthy employees equal a healthy business.
Gallup's latest report reveals a sobering stat: Only 50% of U.S. employees are thriving, the lowest level since 2009. While thriving employees are healthier, more engaged, and 32% less likely to job hunt, their struggling counterparts face startling risks:
- 61% higher likelihood of burnout.
- 48% more daily stress.
- Double the sadness and anger.
- 53% more likely to take a sick day.
This isn't just a big YIKES for your employees, it's a huge miss for you. Think about it, when employees are spending their time and energy focusing on the negative, that's time you paid for and time you lost. Thriving employees spend that time focusing on solutions, innovations, and efficiencies that lead to better business outcomes for the company.
And that's if they stick around! A workforce that’s not thriving is more likely to experience disengagement and therefore higher turnover, which also costs a lot of money. So bottom line? Employee well-being isn’t a "nice-to-have"—it’s a business imperative.
The tea: Proactively supporting well-being isn’t just about dishing out money for gym memberships or chiropractors (although it doesn't hurt). It’s about creating an environment that fuels mental, physical, and emotional health.
Your pantry ticks all those boxes because food not only can help provide the fuel to impact mental and physical wellness, but it can also provide the space to encourage regular breaks during the workday resulting in better performance.
The National Library of Medicine has laid it out: healthy employees = productive employees. When workers are in good physical, mental, and emotional health, they’re happier, less likely to get sick, and way more productive. Plus, they’re better contributors—not just to your bottom line but to your workplace culture.
Here’s how to optimize your office pantry for thriving employees:
- Stock up on fruits and veggies: Fresh produce is more than a snack; it’s a mood booster. Studies show that eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day can improve energy, focus, and overall well-being. Think easy-to-grab options like apple slices, carrot sticks, or pre-packaged veggie cups.
- Prioritize protein-packed options: Protein fuels more than muscles—it supports brain health too. Healthy office snacks like nuts, Greek yogurt, and bars with pea protein can boost serotonin and dopamine levels, helping employees stay energized, focused, and in good spirits.
- Design spaces for connection: Your pantry isn’t just a place to grab a snack; it can be a hub for meaningful interactions. Create micro-stations within your pantry that encourage gathering and quick chats between team members. For example, have an area for snacks separate from the coffee to create more breathing room.
How getting together boosts well-being.
Studies show that small connections have a big impact.
It turns out those office coffee chats are doing more than keeping caffeine levels stable—they’re boosting well-being too. While virtual check-ins have their place, in-person interactions remain unparalleled in their ability to nourish our overall health.
A 2024 behavioral science study highlights that strong social ties improve happiness, reduce chronic illness risks, and even promote longer lives. Why? It’s all about brain chemistry:
- Social interactions release oxytocin and dopamine, happiness-inducing chemicals.
- These chemicals help lower stress, boost your mood, and increase emotional resilience.
- Participants in meaningful interactions showed heightened brain activity and reported feeling happier.
Just as plants grow toward sunlight, people are naturally drawn to connections that provide relational energy. We are inherently social creatures. Throughout history, our survival has depended on community and connection. Today, that same need manifests in the workplace, where collaboration and camaraderie drive success.
The tea: Forget the need for a big holiday bash or a fancy team-building event. Connections can happen in the every day, small moments that we don’t even think about. Your pantry is a goldmine for sparking those opportunities.
Here are a few simple ways to make it happen:
- Offer New Snacks to Try Together: Rotate in seasonal or unique treats to keep your pantry exciting. Food has a way of bringing people together—whether it’s a debate over the best flavor of chips or a shared love of a new snack. Bonus points for choosing snacks that cater to diverse dietary needs, making everyone feel included.
- Create Seating Near Coffee Stations: A cozy nook near your coffee machine can become a hotspot for casual conversations. Adding comfortable seating and a welcoming layout turns your pantry into more than just a pit stop—it becomes a destination for connection and creativity.
- Keep Small Treats By the Break Room: Think bite-sized chocolates, energy bars, or fresh fruit. These little offerings encourage employees to pause, recharge, and connect with colleagues.
Is pea protein the new whey?
According to Food Dive, plant-based protein is here to stay.
Whey’s long reign as the go-to protein is meeting some serious competition. Enter pea protein: a plant-based, dairy-free powerhouse that’s easy to digest, versatile, and taking over the scene.
This isn’t just some fleeting trend—the global pea protein market is set to hit a staggering $50.8 billion by 2034, with demand skyrocketing as consumers ditch dairy and seek clean, plant-based alternatives. Innovations like Vitessence Pea 200 D are completely changing the game, setting new standards for taste and texture in nutritional beverages.
The tea: If your pantry’s already stocked with GoMacro or IQBar, you’re ahead of the curve. But here’s why you need to double down on this plant-based protein trend:
- Plant-Based Power: Pea protein delivers all the muscle-building benefits of whey without any of the dairy, gluten, or soy. It’s perfect for those with food sensitivities or anyone diving into vegan or flexitarian eating.
- Easy on the Stomach: Unlike whey, pea protein is easy to digest, making it a go-to for anyone who struggles with stomach issues or wants a lighter alternative without sacrificing performance.
- Eco-Friendly Vibes: Peas need less water than animal-based protein sources, improve soil health, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, they’re a natural nitrogen fixer, which means less synthetic fertilizer is needed making it the perfect sustainable snack.
With New Year’s Resolutions around the corner, employees are looking for cleaner, plant-based snacks to meet their fitness and health goals. Pea protein is the answer, and it’s exactly what your pantry needs to meet those evolving demands.
Conclusion
December is the season of giving, so it's the perfect opportunity to give your workplace the tools needed to thrive in 2025.
Here's a quick recap:
- Thriving employees are healthier, more engaged, and way less likely to burn out.
- Social connections at work don’t just feel good—they are good for your team’s health.
- Pea protein is the plant-based powerhouse that’s redefining nutrition in office pantries.
So, as you finalize those year-end reports, don’t forget to plan for a healthier, happier, and more connected workplace in the year ahead. Cheers! 🥂
Want to sip on more insights? Connect with our CEO Nate on LinkedIn!