Manager insisting I take lunch

@Whothefuckdoesthat
It's not the fault of the poster running back to the boss to debrief. The most wildest thing I've ever shared with a colleague was that I preferred winter over summer. Radical, I know!

It's also highly unprofessional to be sitting eating at your desk while you're working

In what world? And since when?

I do think it's a good idea to get up and go for a walk though.

If it's helpful, from a Management perspective, if I was raising this from a duty of care perspective, I'd probably be fine with you still actually eating at your desk, I think as long as I saw you get up and away from it for at least 15 mins or so to get some fresh air/screen break, I'd be happy.

Wow. I’m not sure that’s something I’d be openly admitting to on a public forum, even if it is anonymous. Did they realise that you were running back to the boss every time they vented? I wonder whether they nicknamed you Kim Philby behind your back?

Also just to clarify, it’s also possible to eat at your desk and also go for a break/walk before or after.

I find your reaction quite extreme tbh op, especially you saying you’d have to have your break in your car.

Even people who work in teams may not get to have lunch the same time as their colleagues, as they have other meetings that clash, or they are in a customer-facing role for example. It’s honestly no big deal.

Many people also choose not to have a break in the canteen. I used to go out for a walk as it’s not good for your health to just sit all day. Maybe visit a cafe or anything else that’s around.

PPs raise excellent points, most people are not paid for their lunch break, and working during your lunch and after hours makes it look like you can’t keep up with your work. Your boss is only looking out for you.

Either take breaks or have a chat with your boss about excessive workload. But don’t speak to her about ‘blah blah i have nowhere else to go’ as that sounds childish.

Some people, including me, don't like having to eat with people around them. I suppose you will be forced to eat in your car, OP.

You’re not being targeted! You aren’t paid for your lunch hour, she’s trying to be fair and care about you and you’re calling that being targeted? Wow

Do you work your set times (for example, 8.30 -5.00)? If you tend to leave before end of day because you have been 'working through to 'get home at a reasonable time', she may want you to be there to suit her rather than you.
But yes, your employer has h& s considerations as others have pointed out

It isn't a legal requirement for op to take breaks.

She probably thinks it makes her look bad like she's cracking the whip too much and not letting you have a lunch break

I'm with you on this, OP.

Your boss isn't treating you as a person, just as an employee.

Your wants and needs are just as important as everyone else's.

I'd hate being forced into a busy canteen, daily. I'd also hate having to sit in my car.

It sounds like you bend over backwards in terms of hours for the company and this seems like such a small thing to bend on for you.

I'd ask to have a proper conversation with boss about it, if I were you.

There are many solutions though you just won’t entertain any of them.

1. eat in canteen alone
2. eat in canteen with colleagues
3. go for a walk
4. eat outside

If you appreciate it’s a legal requirement then why don’t you take a break? I really don’t understand.

That’s good advice! OP has to talk to her boss.

she might go out for a walk, do some yoga / meditation in her office, have lunch in her office (but not working) etc. There are solution to this but OP needs to communicate clearly (and respectfully).

It’s a legal requirement that you take a break if you work more than 6 hours. You are being unreasonable.

There is a solution. Just lock your computer and eat your lunch.

I think it's the "getting home at a reasonable time" that's at the heart of this. Are you working through lunch so you can leave earlier? Your manager may prefer to have you present in the office until later in the day.

What are you eating for your lunch? It could be an issue with the smell of the food in your office.

Apart from that you need fresh air & exercise. I’d just sit in the car for the amount of time it took me to eat.

Its duty of care to make sure you are having a break away from your desk.

And no one is "forcing you to sit in your car" - what a hyperbolic leap.

You need to talk to your boss.

No, it was more about reporting back on issues the boss could do something about, not snitching. He was a very well respected boss, and it was a very happy department we worked in.

She is fulfilling a duty of care and she might also care about you on her own account!

I’m a line manger and it’s really important to make sure that people get breaks away from their desk and screen. I do Pomodoro with my colleagues and they seem to like it.

Surely if your manager has time to take a proper lunch break and you don't the distribution of work is unfair?
I don't blame you for wanting to eat alone, not everyone wants to socialise.
I would go out to your car or out of the building at lunch time while they head to the canteen, and then come back in a few minutes later and eat lunch where you want.

I've worked in offices where people go to the gym or for a run at lunch time.

They finish, have a quick shower and eat their lunch at their desks while working.

The OP just needs to show she is having a break at lunch time where ever she eats her lunch.

I think you should view her remarks as something that's meant to be positive. She's obviously trying to look out for your well being. Also she is literally telling you that you should feel free to take that break. So take it... and be glad you work in a company where even the CEO thinks it's important that people take care of themselves.
It worries me as well, if I see someone always working through lunch, never leaving her desk and doing overtime as well.
There is a reason why you should take a break after a maximum of six hours of work.
You don't have to join anyone in the canteen if you don't want to, just go for a walk?

Take a book/magazine and read that whilst you take your lunch, at your desk if that’s what you want.

unless it is company policy no eating at desk, then they can’t force you to go to canteen.