Here are a few inexpensive ways to make your workplace more accommodating, friendly, and even inclusive.
An eyeglass repair kit Having one or two inexpensive repair kits onsite will help eyeglass-wearers out in a pinch. The easiest place to find these is in a supermarket checkout aisle.
Hand lotion An unscented or inoffensively scented bottle in the restroom or near the kitchen sink will make employees feel cared for (and will reward the person who always ends up washing the dishes). Phone chargers or charging stations The person who always forgets their phone charger won’t have to cadge a few volts from their co-worker if your office has a phone charger in every room. Signage showing the WiFi network name and password Our office bought a pack of mini acrylic sign holders and used them to display instructions for connecting to the office WiFi.
Free feminine products Free feminine products in your company restroom will make anyone who has periods feel welcome and included and will occasionally save someone from a real emergency.
“But people will steal them.” Anecdotally, they don’t. If you’re a larger enterprise, Go Aunt Flow will install and keep free dispensers stocked. If you’re smaller, get over yourself and put a basket of them out in your restroom.
The common denominator in all these amenities is time-saving; they’re all designed to remove friction from everyday events or even bail people out of emergencies. Most employers will be happy to cover the costs of amenities like this, even if they have to cut back a bit on their budget for organic Pop-Tarts.
