The 'Lunch Hour' is officially dead

New nationwide research has revealed that gone are the days of lunching in restaurants or enjoying a sandwich in the park, as more than seven in 10 modern workers would not dream of being away from their messages and emails for 60 minutes.

The study, conducted by Branston Pickle, found we now take just 29 minutes for lunch on a working day.

And despite the rise in home working, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of British workers say they never down tools or ignore their emails, even while eating lunch.

Over a fifth (21 per cent) claim they don’t take a proper lunch break because they’re scared their boss will think they’re slacking.

More than a third (36 per cent) always check work messages and take calls during lunch breaks, while 38 per cent of workers are constantly interrupted by work calls and messages while eating.

Thirty-five per cent say they don’t have enough time to take a full hour out of their busy day, and a quarter (25 per cent) worry about missing important emails.

Interestingly, a quarter (25 per cent) of working Brits feel working from home means their lunch breaks are even shorter than they were pre March 2020 - with a third (33 per cent) saying this is down to their boss becoming more demanding, expecting them to be constantly on call.

Meanwhile 29 per cent confess that because their boss can’t physically see how hard they’re grafting, it makes them feel like they should always be responsive, and so they are actually putting pressure on themselves.

In fact, almost a fifth of the 1,500 office workers polled (17 per cent) said they’ve fallen victim to criticism from their manager if they’ve taken a proper lunch break without looking at their phone - both through direct criticism and catty, passive aggressive comments.

And almost a quarter (24 per cent) admit they work for someone who expects them to ALWAYS be available, whether it’s lunchtime or not.

Hattie MacAndrews, life coach and trainer commented: “There are many reasons why so many people feel like they aren’t physically able to take a lunch break – and most of these come down to fear. Fear that they won't be seen to be working hard enough, fear that their boss will think they’re slacking if they don’t reply to emails instantly, fear that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, fear that they will appear lazy if they sign off for an hour, or simply a fear that everyone will realise you are terrible at your job (hello imposter syndrome).

"It’s no secret the impact that stress can have on our minds and bodies, and how important it is to look after ourselves to keep us functioning at our best and healthiest. Putting some boundaries in place with yourself and your workload is a great way to protect yourself, and start to find that work life balance again. I strongly encourage my clients to take time away from their desks daily – and the results are remarkable. 

"It’s been proven time and time again that those who are able to physically get away from their workspace, turn their screen off, put their phones away and get fresh air are able to return to work with a renewed energy and a sharper mindset.

"It can feel like an impossible task at first, and an alien concept to not be glued to our screens and replying instantly – and if this is the case, start small. Block the time out in your work calendar if it helps. Take a small break to begin with and see how you feel. 

"If your days are busy and you feel like you have too much to do each day to stop – you are the most in need of a break. This time can be used to get some fresh air and soak up some vitamin D, or make yourself a delicious lunch while listening to a podcast. Whatever you choose to do, I guarantee you will return to your to-do list with a fresh perspective and some new ideas for the afternoon ahead. 

"Finding a routine that works for you is key. It’s important to find a sustainable way to manage working from home, in a way that allows you perform at your best, while still prioritising yourself and your own needs. There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first and taking that time for yourself to reset and switch off.”

The study found that the majority (57 per cent) of British workers say time away from their desk is beneficial to their mental health, while half (49 per cent) admit that having a proper lunch break helps them feel more motivated about their job.

And on average, the nation’s workers aren’t asking for much, saying that even 40 minutes uninterrupted for lunch would be good enough for them.

Following the new survey that unveils the UK’s lunch break is in danger, Branston Pickle has launched its own lunchtime Google plugin to help Brits reclaim their lunch break.

Angharad Wilson Dyer Gough, Senior Brand Manager at Branston, which conducted the research said: “When we heard that the UK’s lunch breaks were under fire, we knew we had to do something to encourage workers to step away from their desks. We all know it’s easier said than done, but our research has shown it's beneficial from both a mental wellbeing and work productivity standpoint to take a well deserved break, whether it’s grabbing a walk outside or relaxing with the nation’s favourite midweek lunch in hand – sandwiches, of course! That’s why we’ve created our own Branston Google Plugin to get more of the nation taking that lunch break and honour that time completely away from work calls and emails.”