12 August 2004 - British Workers Lunch Breaks Risk Damaging Health
An annual
survey of British workers' lunch breaks, by a catering company, have shown
that on average, 1 in every 5 British workers take no lunch break at all,
whilst others only have 27 minutes.
The top 10 preferences for lunch meals in Britain, excluding Northern
Ireland are:
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Sandwiches and bread products
-
Fruit
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Salad
-
Yoghurt
-
Jacket Potatoes
-
Soup
-
Pies or Pasties
-
Fish and Chips
-
Bacon and Eggs
-
Burgers
The General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Brendan Barber, commented on the survey’s results:
“Workers who don't take long enough breaks risk damaging their health, and employees who don't get away from their desks at lunchtime are not going to be very productive in the afternoon.”
The Eurest Lunchtime Report of 2004 show the following trends:
-
more than half (57%) of British workers do take a lunch break every day
-
roughly 1 person in 5 in the UK (18%) buys lunch from a staff restaurant, with this option being favoured by younger people
-
more than 1 person in 3 (38%) brings a packed lunch, with this option being favoured by older or married people
-
the average UK worker spends £2.02 on lunch; women are more economical, with nearly a third spending less than £1
-
one person in two prefers a sandwich for lunch but this figure has dropped in recent years
-
healthy options are more popular with women and older people.
The tenth edition of the Eurest Lunchtime Report can be ordered for £25 by sending an e-mail to: info@compass-group.co.uk
Article by Alexandra Johnston
