Innovation

Want Giftware has committed to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger, by ensuring that none of their employees goes hungry. Some of the warehouse employees are immigrants from less privileged backgrounds and third-world countries.

The lunch program emerged when Gary, the business owner, noticed that some of the warehouse employees were coming to work without any food. At times, they worked entire shifts without eating lunch or any nutritious food.

The lunch program at Want Giftware consists of the company purchasing home-cooked lunch meals. At least three times a week, the company provides a healthy, home-cooked meal for their employees' benefit.

Inspiration

According to Gary, the idea originated after a casual discussion between the two owners. As “we both immigrated from South Africa, having witnessed and being exposed to extreme poverty,” both owners were affected and saddened to realize that some employees were going hungry at work. Therefore, the owners were motivated “to improve the quality of life for employees” whilst simultaneously and “ironically” increasing efficiency and productivity levels.

Overall impact

The lunch program affects the individual employees in that they no longer are hungry at work. However, it could have a long-term effect on society, as according to Gary, “we hope to inspire our employees to perpetuate a cycle of wellbeing, where hopefully they will emulate our practices and aim to help other less advantaged people in the future." Gary stated that since the implementation of the lunch program, there has been an evident increase in the employees' satisfaction levels as well as the overall mental and physical health of the employees.

Business benefit

The initiative benefits the business in the sense that with happier employees, there are fewer chances of staff turnover and dissatisfaction and increased levels of productivity. The lunch program aims to teach the employees that they are worthy. In return, the employees are likely to be more loyal toward Want Giftware.

Social and environmental benefit

The company aims to benefit the wider society by adopting the pay-it-forward approach. The idea is that if the company aims to better the lives of their employees, in the future the employees will go on to help and assist the lives of other less privileged people in the future.

Interview

Gary Jayes, Partner