Survey Reveals Wide Range of Pursuits
by Andrea Calabretta, Experience, Inc.
Lunch breaks are required by law in most states, but what people do with that time (other than eat, of course) might surprise you. When we asked people what they do, we learned a lot.
Lunch hour etiquette varies widely across industries (and even between offices within the same industry). Some encourage workers to take an hour to themselves. Others responding to a survey by Experience, Inc., make it clear that eating lunch at your desk, while working, is expected. Indeed, 15% of our respondents said, "Lunch? What lunch?" They reported regularly spending their lunch hours working.
One respondent, Lillian, said "My new (remote) manager has scheduled 1-on-1 meetings right over my lunch hour on a weekly basis." Aziz, in real estate, takes prospects and clients out to lunch and is careful "never to miss a meal."
No Talking About Work
But socializing at lunchtime with coworkers, friends, partners, or family members was really the top pick. "I meet my husband in the park for lunch everyday," one respondent wrote. Lynn in publishing told us, "If I eat lunch with colleagues, I insist they not talk about work."
Others spend their break time in very creative ways. "I write novels," C. in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry said. Vladi in software reports going to the Frog Pond in downtown Boston during the winter to ice skate on his lunch hour, and Sean in IT plays poker on his cell phone. Molly, who works in travel, goes to a nearby train station to people-watch amidst the passengers arriving and departing. Ashley, an event planner in DC, walks to the White House, the national monuments, and the Smithsonian museums.
Some pursue their gaming interests during lunch hours: playing cards, board games, or honing their Scrabble skills: "I will tend to go to a restaurant with my Scrabble dictionary and either a word-a-day Scrabble calendar or a newsletter with quizzes," said Mike in software development.
Getting Caught Up
Many people exercise, read (or listen to books on tape), and even watch TV on their time off. Colleen in the environmental industry, catches up on blogs and email, and occasionally watches "What Not to Wear." Joseph, who works in entertainment, says, "This is a great time to get caught up on the daily industry trades, especially since I work in NYC and the majority of entertainment is LA-based. I'm caught up on all the breaking stories by the time lunch is over, and LA is just opening, so I haven't missed the boat."
Some respondents are quite enterprising on their lunch hours, when they "use the time to mail packages sold on eBay"(Kenneth) or "search for other jobs" (Kandace). One worker, who chose to remain anonymous, told us that he uses his lunch hour to "complain about the job market."
While many use lunchtime to go for a walk, a majority of those are walking their dogs, not themselves. And -- a big surprise -- only 1 percent say they use the time to get some rest. (hotjobs.yahoo.com)
Copyright 2008, Experience, Inc.
by Andrea Calabretta, Experience, Inc.
Lunch breaks are required by law in most states, but what people do with that time (other than eat, of course) might surprise you. When we asked people what they do, we learned a lot.
Lunch hour etiquette varies widely across industries (and even between offices within the same industry). Some encourage workers to take an hour to themselves. Others responding to a survey by Experience, Inc., make it clear that eating lunch at your desk, while working, is expected. Indeed, 15% of our respondents said, "Lunch? What lunch?" They reported regularly spending their lunch hours working.
One respondent, Lillian, said "My new (remote) manager has scheduled 1-on-1 meetings right over my lunch hour on a weekly basis." Aziz, in real estate, takes prospects and clients out to lunch and is careful "never to miss a meal."
No Talking About Work
But socializing at lunchtime with coworkers, friends, partners, or family members was really the top pick. "I meet my husband in the park for lunch everyday," one respondent wrote. Lynn in publishing told us, "If I eat lunch with colleagues, I insist they not talk about work."
Others spend their break time in very creative ways. "I write novels," C. in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry said. Vladi in software reports going to the Frog Pond in downtown Boston during the winter to ice skate on his lunch hour, and Sean in IT plays poker on his cell phone. Molly, who works in travel, goes to a nearby train station to people-watch amidst the passengers arriving and departing. Ashley, an event planner in DC, walks to the White House, the national monuments, and the Smithsonian museums.
Some pursue their gaming interests during lunch hours: playing cards, board games, or honing their Scrabble skills: "I will tend to go to a restaurant with my Scrabble dictionary and either a word-a-day Scrabble calendar or a newsletter with quizzes," said Mike in software development.
Getting Caught Up
Many people exercise, read (or listen to books on tape), and even watch TV on their time off. Colleen in the environmental industry, catches up on blogs and email, and occasionally watches "What Not to Wear." Joseph, who works in entertainment, says, "This is a great time to get caught up on the daily industry trades, especially since I work in NYC and the majority of entertainment is LA-based. I'm caught up on all the breaking stories by the time lunch is over, and LA is just opening, so I haven't missed the boat."
Some respondents are quite enterprising on their lunch hours, when they "use the time to mail packages sold on eBay"(Kenneth) or "search for other jobs" (Kandace). One worker, who chose to remain anonymous, told us that he uses his lunch hour to "complain about the job market."
While many use lunchtime to go for a walk, a majority of those are walking their dogs, not themselves. And -- a big surprise -- only 1 percent say they use the time to get some rest. (hotjobs.yahoo.com)
Copyright 2008, Experience, Inc.
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