Brokers and other Aussie professionals are skipping lunch, eating at their desks and catching up on personal admin in ever increasing numbers, according to research conducted by ING Direct.
The disappearing lunch break comes as Australians admit that work and personal demands are eating into their lunch breaks.
ING Direct interviewed 1000 professionals in Sydney and Melbourne. Up to 28% admitted to eating at their desks; and 33% to skipping lunch entirely, once a week. One in ten usually work through their lunch break.
What’s worse is that with the typical lunch break being between 15 minutes and 30 minutes, most Aussies are spending that time indoors. The research found that 37% spend lunch time catching up on phone calls; 31% sorting out personal admin, and 30% go shopping while 24% catch up on social media.
Almost one in three use their lunch break to catch up on work, 9% of Australians say their lunch break has become less regular in the past 18 months, and 7% use their lunch break to go to the gym.
Health and productivity expert, Andrew May, believes this could be having a big impact on the overall health of many Australians.
“What I find scary about this research is that many Australians aren’t even seeing the light of day during their work hours which has a detrimental impact on health, let alone productivity and managing stress.”
When asked whether work demands takeover the lunch break, 21% said regularly and 12% said very regularly.
“Taking a lunch break away from your desk, even if it is only 15 to 20 minutes, is a proven way to increase productivity and decision making throughout the afternoon. Human beings do not work in a linear fashion like machines and taking regular breaks is imperative to help sustain concentration and energy levels throughout the day.”
