Employee motivation: Workers should be encouraged to take lunch

Date: 31/03/2011

Many UK workers remain chained to their desks during lunchtime, however, encouraging people to take an hour break could improve employee motivation and productivity.

According to research by Bupa, just 30 per cent of UK workers take a lunch hour, while over a third feel pressure from their managers to work right through the day.

However, taking a break from work can actually help people be more productive as they avoid slumping at around 3pm.
Research shows that workers lose around 40 minutes of their day due to plummeting productivity levels in the later afternoon.

Bupa clinical director of occupational health, Jenny Leeser, said: "Taking an entire hour for lunch can often be difficult, and is not necessarily the best way to keep productivity levels up. Best practice is for employees to take breaks - often in the form of a change of activity - at regular intervals throughout the day, to help stay alert and focused."

Eating lunch together can also be a great team building activity. Brown bag lunches, which involve all staff sitting and eating together can help bond teams and give them the opportunity to chat about non-work issues.

Posted by David Farrior
 

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