Why do employees drink more water when there is a water tap?
Okay, so you're wondering why that water tap in the office is suddenly causing colleagues to down gallons of water? It's actually pretty logical if you stop to think about it. In a nutshell: it's super easy, always available and it breaks the habit of reaching for something else. We dive in a little deeper.
The most important reason of all is simply: convenience. When you are thirsty, you prefer to drink as quickly and effortlessly as possible. A water tap in a central location, such as the kitchen or a hallway, greatly lowers that threshold.
The Power of Proximity
Think about it: how many steps does it take to get to the water tap or a bottle of water? If it's around the corner, a few feet from your desk, you're much more likely to walk by.
Comparison with Alternatives
- Refrigerator: You have to open the refrigerator, look for a bottle or glass, and sometimes you also have to twist off the cap. That sounds like little effort, but if you're concentrating on work for a while, it can be just the reason to put it off.
- Coffee maker: This usually requires more interaction: grinding beans, brewing coffee, adding milk and sugar. This is really a little project compared to filling a glass at the tap.
- Bottles from the store: You have to buy them first, take them to the office, and when they're empty, you have to go back to the store. Not exactly spontaneous when you get thirsty.
Always Available, Always Cool
A water tap is usually available 24/7. No wait times, no "off hours." And most taps also offer chilled water, which makes the temptation to drink a soft drink even less. That cold, fresh sip of water is just more appealing than lukewarm tap water straight from the tap. And if you have a bubble tap? Then it's all party time, because that quickly feels more luxurious anyway.
The article "Why do employees drink more water when there's a water tap?" discusses how the availability of water in the workplace can promote employee hydration. This topic ties in nicely with recent developments around sustainability and reducing disposable plastic. An interesting related article can be found on Retulp's website, where the new legislation regarding disposable plastic in 2024 is discussed. For more information on this, you can read the article at this link: The SUP Law 2024: Disposable Plastic Banned.
Breaking Old Habits and Comfort Zones
We are all creatures of habit. If you're used to walking by the coffee machine for a break, or getting a can of Coke from the vending machine, that habit needs to be broken. A water tap can help with this.
Moving the Coffee Break
The coffee break is often more than just drinking coffee; it's a social moment, a brief mental break. If there is an attractive option to do this moment with water, the association with coffee becomes less strong.
Creating New Rituals
- "Just Getting Water": This could become a new micro-break. You get up for a moment, walk to the tap, fill your bottle or glass, and get back to work. This brief moment of movement can be as refreshing as a coffee break.
- "Hydration drip: Some people make it a game or a social thingy. Co-workers go to get water together. This more social aspect can lower the barrier to drinking water.
Reducing the "Quick Snack" Trigger.
Do you ever find yourself walking to the kitchen, actually because you are thirsty, but then grabbing a cookie anyway? Because your body thinks "I'm going to the kitchen anyway, let me grab a treat too"? A water tap can break that trigger. You just get water, and the thought of anything else doesn't even come to mind.
The Attraction of "New" and "Different"
At first, a new water tap in the office is a bit of a novelty. People are curious and want to try it. However, this temporary effect can lead to lasting changes.
Office newsletter
When a new water tap is installed, it is often a topic of conversation. "Have you seen that new tap?" "It gives bubbles, too!" This makes drinking water in the office more relevant and discussed.
The Aspect of "Freedom of Choice"
Although it's just water, a water tap offers a different choice than the usual options. This sense of choice, even if subtle, can appeal to people. It is not "have to," but "can."
Create visibility
A water tap is a physical object that stands there. It stands out. If you walk past it, you see it. This constant visual signal reminds people that water is available.
Contrast with Hidden Bottles
Other options, such as a box of water bottles in a cabinet or a few bottles in the refrigerator, are less visible. The water tap "calls out" as it were, "Here, have a drink!"
Sustainable water tap view in html.
Awareness and Sense of Health
Besides the immediate convenience, the growing awareness around health also plays a role. More people are realizing the importance of hydration.
Automating the Healthy Choice
When water is the easiest option, it also becomes the automatic "healthy choice." You don't even have to consciously think about it: you're thirsty, you grab water. This is a mental win.
The "Sucking Up" with Soft Drink Avoidance
There is a growing awareness that soft drinks are not that healthy. If you know you can easily get water, the step of grabbing that sugary drink anyway is smaller.
The Commuting Hydration Boost
Many people already combine their drive to the office with some form of exertion, consciously or unconsciously (think biking or walking the stairs). Thirst at the office is then a logical consequence. A water tap directly meets this need.
Practical examples
- Cyclists: Cycling to work can dehydrate you considerably. The first action upon arrival: to the water tap.
- Walkers and stair climbers: People who do a lot of walking or stair climbing in the office also notice the need for fluids immediately.
The Influence of the Employer (Implicit)
When an employer invests in a water tap, it also sends a subtle message: "We think it's important that you take good care of yourselves." This can encourage employees to pay more attention to their hydration.
A recent article examines how the presence of water taps in the workplace promotes employee hydration. This ties in nicely with why employees drink more water when there is a water tap. It turns out that easy access to water not only increases consumption but also contributes to a healthier lifestyle in the office. For more insights on this topic, you can read the article on Retulp.
Social Norms and Group Dynamics
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| Reasons why employees drink more water with a water tap |
|---|
| 1. Easy access to water |
| 2. Environmental awareness - reducing plastic waste |
| 3. Health benefits of drinking water |
| 4. Positive impact on productivity and concentration |
| 5. Attractiveness of the workplace to potential employees |
Human behavior is greatly influenced by what others do. If there is a water tap and colleagues use it, the rest often follows.
The "Contributors"
If you see your teammates regularly walking to the water tap, you're probably going to do the same yourself. It will become the new standard within the group.
Observation as a Learning Resource
You observe what others are doing and adjust your own behavior accordingly. This is a fundamental aspect of social interaction.
The "Problem" of Empty Bottles
If everyone suddenly starts drinking more water, the empty soda bottles will also disappear into the trash. This positive effect can also attract attention and reinforce the trend.
Positive Feedback Loops
Drinking more water leads to fewer other drinks, which in turn leads to less craving for sugar and sweets. This can create a virtuous cycle where people start to feel better and thus are more motivated to continue like this.
Workplace Culture and Wellbeing
A culture where hydration is encouraged and facilitated contributes to overall well-being in the workplace. Employees feel valued and encouraged to make healthy choices. Not only is this good for individual health, but it can also lead to increased productivity and a better work atmosphere. And no, this is not an empty sales pitch - it is simply the reality that when people feel better, they also perform better (which in turn leads to greater satisfaction, etc.).
FAQs
1. Why do employees drink more water when there is a water tap?
Having a water tap in the workplace makes it easier for employees to access drinking water. As a result, they are more likely to drink water instead of other beverages.
2. What are the benefits of drinking water in the workplace?
Drinking enough water can help you stay hydrated, which can improve concentration and alertness. In addition, it can contribute to a healthy lifestyle and prevent dehydration.
3. How can a water tap promote sustainability in the workplace?
Using a water tap allows employees to fill reusable water bottles instead of buying disposable ones. This can help reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability in the workplace.
4. Are there guidelines for the placement of water taps in the workplace?
Yes, there are guidelines for the placement of water taps in the workplace, such as ensuring adequate accessibility and regular cleaning of the water tap to ensure hygiene.
5. How can an employer encourage employees to drink more water?
Employers can encourage employees to drink more water by offering water taps at strategic locations, providing reusable water bottles and organizing educational campaigns on the benefits of hydration.
