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Benefits January 29, 2014
Employees Not “Braking” for Lunch
January 29, 2014 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Many employees are not putting the brakes on work to enjoy a lunch break, but are merely yielding to fit lunch in, a survey suggests.
Reported by Rebecca Moore
Nearly half (48%) of employees interviewed by OfficeTeam said their typical lunch break lasts 30 minutes or less, with 7% giving themselves 10 to 20 minutes, and 9% taking less than 10 minutes or no break at all. However, 11% take 31 to 45 minutes for lunch, and 38% take an hour or more.
The survey also found 29% aren’t really taking a break at all, as they reported they work while eating lunch.
Among those who do put the brakes on work during lunch, 42% reported they socialize with coworkers during this time. Twenty-seven percent surf the Web or social media, while one-quarter each said they catch up on personal calls and emails or run errands.
Eighteen percent indicated they exercise or take a walk during their lunch break, while 3% read, and 1% do nothing besides eating.
The survey of office workers was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent research firm. Results are based on telephone interviews with more than 400 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.