Office workers only take 16 minutes lunch break, study suggests

‘There are much better ways to eat lunch than the same cheese or ham sarnie at your desk’

Office employees spend only 16 minutes eating lunch every day, poll suggests (Getty Images/iStockphoto/monkeybusinessimages)

Office workers only manage to take an average of 16 minutes each day for lunch, a new study has claimed.

Researchers found despite being given a full hour to enjoy a break at their workplace, many take a quarter of this period to eat, and nearly half will typically dine at their desk at precisely 12.43pm.

One in 10 reported eating the same meal for lunch every day, with the most popular reoccurring choices being a plain cheese or ham sandwich.

After eating at their desk, just 15 per cent will go for a walk every day, stretching their legs for just 16 minutes at a time on average.

“There are much better ways to eat lunch, than the same cheese or ham sarnie at your desk every lunch time,” said Jennifer Shepherd of Quorn, which commissioned the research.

“A third of lunchers are looking for more variety and 40 per cent said they are looking for no-compromise, healthy, meat-free options.’’

The study also found the average office worker has just two meat-free work lunches a week, with a fifth never going without meat.

Nearly 40 per cent were unaware that reducing their intake of meat could have a positive impact on the planet.

Three quarters agreed taking a break from their desk and getting outside makes them feel better, yet many reported being stuck in a rut.

A third of office workers admitted they are too busy to get the much-needed break they deserve, and a quarter said they spend most of their lunch getting their personal errands and admin out of the way.

Overall one in eight don’t get as much time to enjoy their break because they spend most of the time buying or prepping their lunch.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, suggested one in five would like a more environmentally friendly lunch and an equal percentage desire more meat-free options which are healthy and ready to eat.

SWNS