‘Vanishing Lunch Break’… Sound Familiar?
When noon rolls around, glance at your co-workers’ desks. It’s becoming more and more likely that you’ll find your colleagues pecking away at their keyboards, maybe pausing to wolf down a sandwich between email and paperwork. Hefty workloads, pressure to do more with less and an office culture in which hour-long breaks aren’t the norm, are all reasons why we are seeing a trend in skipping lunch. According to an online poll by Right Management, the talent and career management division of Manpower, less than half of employees leave their desk to take a lunch break each day. Of those polled, 20% usually eat at their desk, 20% only break for lunch “from time to time,” and 13% say they “seldom, if ever” take a lunch break. Is this really healthy? Let’s take Key Steps this week and ensure that we…
Bring back the lunch break
- What’s driving the insanity? Sure, people skipped lunch in more prosperous times. Gordon Gekko said in the 1987 movie Wall Street, “Lunch is for wimps.” But in today’s job market, “that stress and pressure has been particularly exacerbated. People are just so stretched,” says Bram Lowsky, senior vice president and general manager for Right Management. Sometimes it’s simply cultural survival – “I can’t take lunch because it’s going to look bad” or “The more I do, hopefully the stronger position I will be in.” We need to break out of this pattern of thinking and realise that…
- The truth is… Working through lunch is known to be counter-productive. Lunch breaks are good for your physical and mental health – and even your company’s bottom line. Being tied to your desk the entire day can lead to higher levels of stress, and as a result, poorer health and decreased productivity, Right Management points out. Makes sense, doesn’t it? So break the pattern of insanity and take some midday downtime, whether it involves eating lunch, exercising or reading a book, they key is to take time to recharge.
Contact Tiffany to join us for our Assertive Communication & Conflict Management workshop on 1 & 2 September and gain skills to say the ‘nice no’ when someone asks you to help and you are under too much pressure already or when your manager expects too much in too little time. Let’s take Key Steps together this week and…
“be the difference that makes the difference”
To learn how to overcome difficult times, set objectives, move your life forward and create the life you deserve, contact Tiffany and book one of our public workshops.
