Does My Company Need to Provide a Water Cooler?
As per the Workplace Regulations (1992), companies are legally required to “provide an adequate supply of wholesome, free drinking water to all employees” which must be “free from contamination”. Of course, this could come from a tap in a kitchen sink or a public toilet space within the office. However, although these options do technically fulfil the regulations a much better way to accommodate your staff (and a more hygienic option) would be a water cooler. To answer the question “does my company need to provide a water cooler?” on the legal side the answer is a no, but for convenience and a more hygienic option a water cooler is the next viable option.
The Importance of Hydration During Work
Of course, we are aware that the workplace drink of choice is coffee. However, solely relying on coffee in the workplace can lead to the inevitable “caffeine-crash” halfway through the day. Providing your staff with refreshing, cold water with the touch of a button can aid staff morale, and motivation. Water provides calorie-free hydration, fighting fatigue and restoring natural energy. We will go as far to say that providing ready to drink water can certainly increase productivity levels! So, should your company get a water cooler? Absolutely, water coolers provide easy and instant access to fresh, cold drinking water without hassle. Many offices in the UK already provide water coolers for their employees and visitors and would describe them as indispensable.
What Type of Water Cooler is Best?
What type of water cooler is best for your company is entirely dependent on a few factors. For example, does your office have high foot traffic, does your place of work have an area where a cooler can be plumbed in? These factors mean that there isn’t a singular water cooler that trumps all. When considering what water cooler to provide you must consider what you want from a unit. Is a tucked away under-sink chiller, to maintain a clean looking office the best fit. Does your company site not have mains plumbing and you may be looking for a more temporary solution. In this case, a bottled water cooler is better suited for places such as building sites, or companies undergoing remodelling onsite.
Not to worry, it can seem overwhelming when choosing which water cooler is best suited to you. Our product pages, located at the top of the website on a drop-down, can easily guide your choice. If you would prefer to give us a call or email to discuss options we are more than happy to help you decide. Contact us if you have any queries.
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