April 01, 2011
Research by the private health care provider BUPA suggests that UK businesses are losing up to £50 million a day as staff productivity is affected by staff failing to take adequate lunch breaks.
Many workers are encouraged to work through their lunch breaks during busy periods, or feel pressurised into doing so because of their workload or expectations on them. However, this may actually be causing businesses more harm than good, as productivity levels have been found to slump if a proper lunch break is not taken.
The law states that all workers are entitled to take a twenty minute rest break for every working period of six hours. The break must be taken during this period rather than at the beginning or end of it. However, this is the minimum requirement and businesses may well benefit from increased staff morale, health and energy by offering longer lunch and rest breaks. Employers also have legal responsibility for the health and safety of their staff, which could be breached by placing hurdles in the way of staff taking proper lunch breaks.
Lunch breaks can also provide staff with internal networking opportunities and encourage communication amongst different departments, which can also benefit a business.
