80% of workers ‘take less than 30 minutes for lunch’

Employers are doing little to encourage their staff to take a full hour for their lunch break – with 80% admitting to regularly taking less than 30 minutes, a survey has found.

Less than 20% take a full hour, while one in four workers say they ‘feel guilty’ if they take an hour for lunch, the research by job website Reed Employment suggested.

Almost half of employees say they dine at their desks every day, even though more than 70% say their company provides an area where they can take a break away from their computer.

Over half of workers said there is ‘no culture’ of taking proper breaks in their office, with many fearing it might be frowned upon because they don’t see their bosses taking a full hour.

One third admitted to working straight through their lunch hour or use the time to visit clients and customers, with almost 20% saying they surf the internet.

However, a third of workers said they do spend at least a part of their lunch hour out of the office, venturing out for some fresh air and a walk, with 13% saying they run errands, and 2% going to the gym.

Catherine Maskell, brand manager at Reed Employment said the picture of office life emerging from the research is ‘unhealthy and unproductive’.

“While long working hours are fast becoming the norm in most offices, the failure to take regular breaks is bad for employees’ health, productivity and safety,” she said.

“Workers need to shake off the guilt but equally bosses need to actively encourage their staff to get out in the fresh air during the day, take some exercise or socialise with colleagues.

“In doing so, they will end up with a healthier, happier and more productive workforce,” she said.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008