Are Lunch Breaks a Waste of Time or a Productivity Booster?

by mrosen814 Posted 2012/07/18 20:00:00

Related Topics: Food, Lunch Break, Work, Working, Co-workers

334 votes
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	Waste of Time	40 votes	12%
	Productivity Booster	294 votes	88%

Do you eat lunch at your desk alone or grab a bite with your co-workers? According to Time, many workers today treat lunch as a speedy task to cram into their busy days. Though some would say that skipping lunch seems like an efficient use of time, "the midday break can be mentally rejuvenating and, in some ways, more productive than staying glued to your chair."

MONEYLAND.TIME.COM reports:
It’s 1:30 p.m. on a weekday, and Yen Ha and Michi Yanagishita have left their office to munch hot dogs and French fries at one of the oldest bars in New York.

yanagishita office munch hot dogs french fries oldest bars york

+12

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Riobhca 2012/07/19 02:12:40 (edited)

Productivity Booster

+5
You need a break from work. Gulping your food at your desk isn't good for you.
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More polls by mrosen814

spencerc143 2012/07/19 00:50:16

Productivity Booster

+1
Its so u can eat idk lunch?? Dumb question.

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May 2012/07/19 00:25:05

Productivity Booster

+2
It helps to walk away from what you are doing to recharge/refresh your mind and energy level. I used to take a quick cat nap and boy did that help me perform better. If not, I got very sluggish and could hardly keep my eyes open. There is a reason they take "siestas" in other countries.

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Kigan 2012/07/19 00:19:15 (edited)

Productivity Booster

+2
The food and short break is helpful.

Better if you're not trying to eat and work at the same time.

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Michelle 2012/07/19 00:02:54

Productivity Booster

+2
Everyone needs some time to let their minds and bodies take a break from the task at hand. You cannot be obligated to work through your lunch break, but if you really want to... well, that's your time you're giving away.

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La 2012/07/19 00:02:01

Productivity Booster

+2
I don't think it's good to work for a solid 8 or 9 hours. If you work for over 5 hours you should get a break :) Even if you only want to have a ten minute break, get up and go somewhere for a bit.

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Doc Frank stein 2012/07/18 23:59:41

Productivity Booster

+2
It was an everything booster when I was working for the manLol! - usually Govt.
We played checkers and table tennis in many of the units I worked for - made it almost worth going ... plus it added to sociality

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MLor 2012/07/18 23:33:22

Productivity Booster

+4
Food keeps ya goin! ...:-)

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Karl 2012/07/18 23:15:35

Productivity Booster

+2
My job is impossible to do while eating.

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GoodEncounter 2012/07/18 23:14:18

Productivity Booster

+2
They get you away from your job and give you a chance to get rejuvenated - if you take advantage of the opportunity.

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JohnT 2012/07/18 23:12:57

Productivity Booster

+2
I don't care if a person takes a walk, naps for a few minutes, or has a sandwich It is your time and if a company could get away with abolishing it they would. You are only a piece of equipment to get production done. Don't ever think for a moment that you cannot be replaced in two minutes. Having worked 27 jobs before I retired I have seen first hand the games that people and companies play, and the companies almost always win. So to hell with their productivity take your lunch even if you stare at the ceiling because if you don't it will just be one more thing they will try to take from you.

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John Freeman 2012/07/18 23:12:52

Productivity Booster

+2
Who the hell voted waste of time?

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Muver 2012/07/18 23:08:52

Productivity Booster

+2
For most it is the break for the brain and body, for others it causes lower productivity in the afternoon...I usually prefer not to break for lunch, as it breaks my momentum, but then work ends earlier for me..which I like....I eat a great breakfast, and have a good snack and I am better for it..

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junkme2342 2012/07/18 23:06:58 (edited)

Productivity Booster

+2
I had a job where they got away with a 15shirt minute lunch break for a 9 hr shift. I now have a job with a 30 minute break. Massive difference.

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Sailor Jerry 2012/07/18 23:02:28

Productivity Booster

+1
i get about an hour and half to 2 hours for lunch a day, depending on the amount of work that's piled up in the shop. (i work at a local welding shop)

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pizzaman7 2012/07/18 22:58:04

Productivity Booster

+2
lunch is a nice break !

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Curmudgeon 2012/07/18 22:47:22

Productivity Booster

+4
With my job since I work in construction, taking lunch is a must. As working 10 to 12 hour shifts and not taking a lunch is recipe for disaster in my mind.

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Null_Shock 2012/07/18 22:20:07
Shadow_... to Null_Shock 2012/07/18 22:30:18

-_- that's what you use a lunchbreak for

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Null_Shock to Shadow_... 2012/07/19 04:34:24

+1
It doesn't take an hour to smoke and drink a red bull...hell doesb't take more than five minutes. I guess I should specify that it is the time I am required to use I have an issue with. -_-

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Shadow_... to Null_Shock 2012/07/19 16:57:46

Normal lunch break are 30 minutes at my job and I like the intermission.

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Null_Shock to Shadow_... 2012/07/20 01:55:09

It's an hour for me...but even 30 mins is to long. That is just my opinion though, I don't think they should do away with long breaks like that completely, I just think it should be optional.

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Shadow_... to Null_Shock 2012/07/20 21:19:23

I work at a zoo my friend an hour for me would be a blessing

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Null_Shock to Shadow_... 2012/07/20 21:39:18

I work in IT...you can have my hour *hands Wolf an hour*

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Shadow_... to Null_Shock 2012/07/20 21:42:03

+1
YES, I can go relax and watch the baby Jaguar now. No, but I would like another 30 (though I really don't need it at all)

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izzybean 2012/07/18 22:15:39

Productivity Booster

+2
Take a break get away from the work. I guess most people should take a break from electronic machines. Let your brain occupy itself of something else if only for a lunch break. Hmmm mustard or onions on that dog

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4dc 2012/07/18 22:01:56

Waste of Time

cause you left out "both"...somedays there just ain't no time for it, other days you just need to make time for it...for me my workload determines which choice i'll make

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littlebuffalo55TBA 2012/07/18 21:58:50

Waste of Time

Gordon Gekko said "Lunch is for Wimps!"!

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hasher 2012/07/18 21:54:43

Productivity Booster

+2
i eat lunch with my friends it gives me a chance to unwind and relax. and we get a 20 minute break and a 30 minute lunch and we have to take our lunch. so why work??? i never skip mine. i usually take them together that way i have almost an hour. or sometimes if my lunch buddy is off i do personal stuff on the computer not work.

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nightcrawler2005 2012/07/18 21:33:29

Productivity Booster

+4
Remember people --- you work to live you don't live to work.

Take a proper lunch break you'll live longer and be a hell of a lot happier and more productive

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JohnT to nightcr... 2012/07/18 23:20:08

+2
You are looking at it the right way some of these folks just don't get it. If a company could legally stop your lunch break they would do it in a nano second, more productivity. Some folks just don't realize that many folks had to fight for breaks and it wasn't that many years ago when labor conditions were not great in this country. One thing the younger generation has given up currently with cell phones is end of work. Back in my day the company better not call me after I am gone for the day or I went back on the clock for at least two hours pay, but everyone today loves their electronic toys so now you can be connected to the company 24/7 and when they need you they call you. Too bad you folks gave it to them for free.

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nightcr... to JohnT 2012/07/19 02:00:49

+2
The Japanese have a word for it. Its called Karoshi (someone who worked themselves to death) Some people there entire existence revolves around their job which means their literally working 24/7 with the help of their electronics. Its sad.
I have my own business and I love my blackberry but only conduct business between certain hours and everyone knows that unless your inviting me to a BBQ or the building had just burnt down you had better not be calling me work related outside those hours. I have that policy throughout the company. Business is done during work hours and NOT outside work hours. I had that instilled in me from the last company I worked for as it was run that way also.

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JohnT to nightcr... 2012/07/19 02:17:01

+2
My daughter works in banking and they think nothing of calling her in the evenings if they have a problem or need something. I think your policy is great. I was a dedicated manager but when I was off the clock I was off the clock.

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TKramar to JohnT 2012/07/19 10:16:41

+1
My company never calls me, then again, I can't do my job over the phone...I have to actually be physically present to do it.

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TKramar to nightcr... 2012/07/19 10:15:34

I actually enjoy being at work, and doing something productive with my time, than I do anywhere else.

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nightcr... to TKramar 2012/07/19 16:17:41

Please, I'm not trying to dump on you but you need to find something you enjoy doing OTHER than work. I've seen too many people that put their job totally and completely first and are totally destroyed when they get fired or let go. Others stay in their job all their life and when they retire their dead within 6 months.

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TKramar to nightcr... 2012/07/19 20:21:14

I'm not going to retire. I'm going to work until I die. There's no other reason to continue to live except to work.

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Valerie© 2012/07/18 21:24:43

Productivity Booster

+1
I couldn't make it through the day if I didn't have my lunch hour.

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JohnT to Valerie© 2012/07/18 23:21:21

+2
Your right on, and some folks with medical conditions like diabetes have to eat on a schedule. If a company could cut the lunch break they would sure do it.

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Lyana 2012/07/18 21:14:40

Productivity Booster

+1
I'd rather have a break whether I'm getting paid for it or not!

EVERYONE needs a break at some point. XD

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TasselLady 2012/07/18 21:10:36

Productivity Booster

+2
There's no way in hell I'm working my arse to pieces for very little money. They don't pay for our lunch breaks so I'm definitely taking it. I need to refuel!!!

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