Imagine two work environments. Ben has placed some dried fruit and water on his desk, while Ana has placed energy drinks and a pancake full of cream.
Based on your first impressions of these employees, how would you answer the following questions:
- Who works most effectively towards long-term goals?
- Who has iron self-discipline?
- Who resists temptation better?
If you answered yes to these questions, it likely means you're relying on what psychology calls a "consumption stereotype." When people engage in consumption stereotyping, they form perceptions of others' abilities and traits based on the foods they choose to eat. As an example, people stereotype meat eaters as more masculine and those on a low-fat diet as more feminine.
Stereotyping of consumption at work
Eating at work is quite common - a New York Times study showed that 62% of professionals regularly eat lunch at their desks, and a study found that quite a few employees eat an average of 4 times a week at the office.
Një eksperiment i ngjashëm me pyetjen që ne ju drejtuam në fillim ka zbuluar se zakonet dietike të punonjësve luajnë një rol të fuqishëm në mënyrën se si kolegët i shohin dhe i trajtojnë ata.
Konsumimi i ushqimit shpesh pasqyron vlerat, filozofinë, identitetin dhe tiparet e dikujt. Drejtuesit dhe punonjësit duhet të ndërgjegjësohen për stereotipet e tyre të konsumit dhe të bëjnë përpjekje aktive për të shmangur gjykimin e punonjësve bazuar në zakonet e tyre dietike.
Ky duket si rasti perfekt që liderët mund të përdorin për të nxitur një klimë të Për shembull, udhëheqësit mund të ofrojnë opsione ushqimi të shëndetshëm ose të edukojnë punonjësit për vlerën e të ushqyerit në mënyrën e duhur.
Having said that, it is important to mention that food is fundamental to human health and productivity. However, while most are aware of the individual health implications of diet, much less is known about how one's diet affects every aspect of life and of course work.
This is problematic as eating at work is becoming more and more common and unfortunately, this food is often fast and not at all healthy.
