CorpComms Magazine

Almost one in five employees takes under 15 minutes lunch break and more than ten per cent take no break at all, according to a new survey commissioned by UK recruitment site Monster.co.uk.

In a time of job insecurity, workers are increasingly choosing to wolf down food at their desks rather than take time out of their busy schedules. This is despite the fact that only one per cent of employees think working is a good way to spend the lunch hour. More than one in five of those surveyed would rather read, whilst a further 22 per cent would happily take an hour-long power nap.

Even those who do take time for personal business often remain chained to their desks, with catching up on emails and phone calls the most popular lunchtime activities.

So Monster.co.uk has launched a summer campaign to 'Bring back Britain's lunch hour',  encouraging conscientious employees to take a little time to themselves over lunch in order to reduce stress, re-energise and work more effectively during the rest of the day.

The site asks visitors: 'Do you feel tied to your desk? Daren't leave the workplace in case you miss something? Often busy but not productive? Sick of picking crumbs out of your keyboard?'

If the answer is yes, it offers tips on how to maximise the impact of your hour, including exercise ideas and nutritional advice to renew energy for the afternoon. For those of a less active bent, it recommends taking time to chat with colleagues face-to face rather than messaging one another online, relaxing into a good book, or even setting up a laptop in a coffee shop and writing your own.

Isabelle Ratinaud, marketing director of Monster UK & Ireland, noted: 'In the current economic climate, employers often struggle with ways to improve the working environment in their company. Yet, ensuring people take a proper lunch break is a simple and effective way for employees to be more satisfied and more productive. A win win for both employers and employees.'

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