Everyone needs a break in their day, but it seems while most folks do get a lunch break at the office, not many are using that break to actually eat lunch.
A new UK survey, which could easily translate here, finds:
- Only 20% of workers actually use their lunch break to eat lunch.
- 79% of folks admit they actually eat their food while they work so they have time to do other things during their break.
- The most common things people use their lunch break to do include:
- Go for a walk
- Go on social media
- Do personal admin
- Read a book
- Read the news/newspaper
- Listen to music
- Play on apps on their phone
- Cook lunch/make lunch
- Catch up with family/friends
- Go shopping
But it seems those people using their break to do other things are lucky.
- In fact, 67% of people actually skip their midday meal, with most people only being able to take a real break three days a week.
- 46% of people say they are just too busy at work to take a break.
- What’s more, 13% of people say their workplace culture makes them feel like they shouldn’t take one.
- Plus, 10% say they feel guilty taking some time in the day for themselves.
- And then there are 15% who simply forget to take their lunch break.
- Another 37% say they don’t bother because they don’t know what they’d do with their time.
- 43% of people usually spend their break time at their desk.
- 70% wind up checking work emails or taking calls during their break.
- The average worker is allowed a 40-minute break, but most are only taking a third of the time.
Source:SWNS Digital