Lunch break guilt

Office life is becoming unhealthy and unproductive as more and more workers across the UK feel guilty if they take a full lunch hour, a recent poll has found.

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Office life is becoming unhealthy and unproductive as more and more workers across the UK feel guilty if they take a full lunch hour, a recent poll has found.

A huge eight out of 10 staff take less than 30 minutes lunch break each day, and only 18 per cent take a full hour.

And that’s bad for individuals and bad for companies, says Reed Employment, which carried out the survey among almost 5,000 workers.

Fifty-five per cent of those who responded said their offices had no culture of taking proper breaks. Consequently, as they didn’t see their bosses taking a full hour, staff felt it might be frowned upon if they took it.

Forty-one per cent said they felt guilty if they took a full lunch hour. And even though 71 per cent said their company provided somewhere they could take a break away from their desk, 44 per cent owned up to dining at their desks every day.

Of those who chose to do that, 62 per cent admitted they then felt under pressure to get back to work even more quickly.

Catherine Maskell, Brand Manager for Reed Employment, said: “A picture of office life is emerging from our research that 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.

“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.”

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