More work. Less pay.
Now, add the disappearing lunch break to the growing list of sacrifices American workers say they make daily for the sake of the job, a new workplace survey shows.
More than half (52 percent) of the 2,311 employees surveyed online in August by Right Management claim that, if they do take a lunch break at all, it’s to nosh at their desks. The rest say they almost always take a lunch.
“Has the true lunch break become the exception rather than the rule?” asks Bill Brimmer, vice president of Right Management. “We know employees are currently under a great deal of pressure, but skipping lunch or being reluctant to take a break during the work day is not a good way to deal with it. On the contrary, taking time away from one’s desk for lunch may go a long way toward relieving stress and boosting energy.”
Not every company culture is supportive of lunch breaks, Brimmer said.
“Sometimes employees feel the need to stay at their desk or to apologize for stepping out. But this kind of culture isn’t the way to heighten performance and engagement.”
Among the findings:
- Top level executives (C-level and vice president) were the most likely to take a break with 53 percent saying they almost always do.
- Men were slightly more likely than women to take a break by 49 percent to 42 percent.
- The younger the worker the more likely the individual is to take a break, with 57 percent of those aged 18-24 indicating they always take a break. This compares to 53 percent of those aged 25-34; 46 percent of those aged 35-54; and 45 percent of those aged 55 and older.
“While lunch breaks are typically 30 to 60 minutes,” said Brimmer, “I’m seeing breaks getting shorter given the pressure on workers to do more with less, shoulder heavier workloads and put in longer hours. It’s discouraging to find only a minority are taking a needed break from their work during the day.”
Brimmer noted that a midday break doesn’t always mean “lunch” and can look different for everyone.
“Some use it to get some physical activity. Others run errands. Some may nap. However employees choose to spend this time, managers should be sure they support, rather than discourage taking a break.”
