Creating a lunch and learn program at your office is one of the best ways to provide opportunities for training and development and engage your employees. However, there is no denying that the pandemic has changed how we work, how we interact, and even how we eat. 

The good news is that it is still possible to have a productive lunch and learn. Our restaurant and catering partners have gone above and beyond to keep your team safe and satisfied with COVID-smart office catering and delivery practices.

Hybridize

Whether your team is onsite, fully remote, or a combination of the two, you can make a lunch and learn work. Online learning can be displayed on a screen in a conference room with socially distanced seating and at the same time be available for viewing remotely. You have the flexibility to allow everyone to access learning content onsite, at their desks, or at their home offices. If your lunch and learn is being led by a live speaker, you can livestream to those not present.

Customize Your Delivery

Our restaurant partners have become experts at safe, customized, on-time delivery. If you have set aside a space in your office to receive them, you can request contactless delivery. You can also make any other special requests that suit your needs including specific drop-off locations, elevator instructions, etc.

Multiple Serving Stations

If you opt for tray catering, a good way to keep people safely spread out is to have multiple serving stations set up around the room, which will help with flow and social distancing. 

Designated Food Servers

Relatedly, another good idea when it comes to tray catering is to designate a few people donning masks and gloves to serve each tray/food item rather than having each employee serve themselves. This will minimize the number of people touching utensils and help to limit time spent lingering around the food stations. 

Individually Packaged Meals

Opting for individually packaged meals is another excellent way to have a COVID-safe lunch and learn while simultaneously offering employees a fully personalized meal option. Many of our caterers have added this option to their menus. 

Want to implement a Lunch and Learn program at your office but not sure where to start? Check out our other articles, 130 Lunch and Learn Ideas Your Employees Will Love and 50 Lunch and Learn Food Ideas.