Often eat at your desk? Read this article

11:00 AEST Wed Jul 11 2012

MSN NZ

People work an extra 16 days a year for free by not taking proper lunch breaks, a survey has found

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Business news

People work an extra 16 days a year for free by not taking proper lunch breaks, a survey has found.

A poll of 1000 people found that 60 per cent of workers eat at their desk every day, the UK's Daily Mail reported.

Two thirds also take 30 minutes or less for lunch, although they are entitled to a full hour.

Stressed out workers said they felt 'guilty' if they took a full hour for lunch.

Which all adds up to individuals working an extra 128 hours a year, which is equivalent to 16 eight-hour days.

An academic specialising in the science of workplaces told the Mail it was important to take regular breaks.

Dr Patrick Tissington, Associate Dean of Business Partnerships at Aston University, said workers spent long hours at their desks, "tapping away at keyboards, staring at screens and sitting with bad posture in awkward positions".

Do you feel guilty for taking a full hour lunch break? Have your say.

User comments

I must admit that I am guilty of eating at my desk, but I can assure you that for that half an hour I am surfing the net, reading news, checking out my fav blogs and streaming music. When I first started with my current employer, I use to have lunch in the common smoko room, but I found that when in there, people feel the need to fill the silence with conversation, no matter the subject, or the volume. I enjoy eating my lunch in peace and quiet and at my desk is where I can find that. Thus I see no issue with having lunch at my desk.

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