How do you spend your lunch hour?

[WhaleyAwesome]

Just that.

I’ve been WFH constantly since last March DH is the same. We usually go out for a walk for 30 mins then get some lunch. On Fridays one of my colleagues does a Zumba class on Zoom so I do that have a quick shower then eat at my desk. No issues eating at my desk at home or in the office when we were there.

I work in a school. I don't get one.

@Hobnobsandbroomstick it's a mixture of WFH, travelling to other offices to work, and working from what will be "my" office, which will be being shared with medical doctors from what I understand (I will not be working in a clinical role).

I've just had a look on google maps and strava and have found some nice walking routes, there are a lot of eateries near by, and a couple of museums. Yet to find a gym that seems to be reasonably priced.

Yes, will be sitting for most of the day so would like to try and make the most of being away from the desk.

I really struggle with social appropriateness anxiety around these types of things so I thought if I came up with a plan it would help me set the boundaries around protecting my lunch break (and avoiding burn out)

Well OP I'm just letting you know I've seen it happen. 3 complaints to HR from fellow colleagues about other employees not 'fully working'. Surprised me too, but if it is a Strict ethos, not relaxed like my last 2 places, clearly it does grate some employees enough to complain to HR.

I walk to the beach which is 10 mins from my office and then have a 20 minute swim and walk back. All year round.

Working

@Swimbikerunmummy

I walk to the beach which is 10 mins from my office and then have a 20 minute swim and walk back. All year round.

Do you need any civil engineers?

Eat at my desk whilst working.

I'm a TA no lunch hour !!!

@Lulu1919

At least you get 13 weeks holiday though (one of the things I miss about being a TA!).

Just think, there seems to be a fair few people who say that they have a paid lunch hour, but also say that they spend it working at their desk, which is 5 extra hours a week, which is 225 hours per year, 225 ÷ 40 = 5.6. So these people are working the equivalent of all or most of their annual leave .

Twenty minutes, you mean.

I practically run out of the door before anybody sees me and wants 'just a quick thing', off site, out of sight and pretend I can't hear my mobile being rung or people giving me a heads up that I'm being looked for.

My boundaries are hard fought for.

Eating my lunch.

[quote WhaleyAwesome]@ssd Yes, I have signed a contract which includes a full paid hour of lunch break - and I am going to be maintaining my boundaries around that.

If you've chosen not to do that, that's up to you.[/quote]
To be fair to some of the other posters, there was nothing in your OP about looking for suggestions. I thought this was just an interesting thread about how different people in different jobs spend their lunch hours. If you and everyone around you works through their lunch hour, the idea of a whole hour off and of doing things like watching TV is quite novel. Good for you for trying to make the most of your time though, I hope you find something you enjoy.

Either marking books or eating my sandwich depending on whether the children are in the classroom or the dining room for dinner.

Rarely take a lunch break, apart from the time it takes to make it. Then work and eat.

I’m in the police, lunch breaks aren’t a thing.

I get 30 minutes unpaid lunch and, as a nurse, I rarely get it.
I usually chuck my food down and crack on.
You can usually tell an nhs worker, we walk fast and eat fast.

My previous company you would get 1.5hr break. But your doing 13 hour shifts. I'd be Lucky if I got my break I sacrificed my breaks most days to make sure other members of the team went and had their breaks. #healthcare.
I just ate on the go or where possible. And if I did get the chance to have a break I'd try and nap.

[quote Hobnobsandbroomstick]@Lulu1919

At least you get 13 weeks holiday though (one of the things I miss about being a TA!).

Just think, there seems to be a fair few people who say that they have a paid lunch hour, but also say that they spend it working at their desk, which is 5 extra hours a week, which is 225 hours per year, 225 ÷ 40 = 5.6. So these people are working the equivalent of all or most of their annual leave .[/quote]
I do ....unpaid though !!!

I usually set my alarm and have a nap over lunch. WFH can have some decent perks.

There is a huge difference in a paid break and an unpaid one. Mine is unpaid thereby ensuring I and my colleagues have to work 6 days a week or many weeks if the year. I'd much rather have a paid break and work through it when necessary than be forced to work longer hours to compensate for it.

I go to the office 2 days a week in the city centre so on those days I usually spend anything from 20 mins to an hour pottering round the shops and picking up any bits we need from superdrug/wilkos/m&s and then eat a sandwich at my desk. On the days I work at home I eat leftovers in front of the telly for 20 mins or so.

OP, just to clarify, you’re wanting to spend your hour long lunch break doing something else and then return from your break and sit at your desk and eat your lunch during working hours?

I work nights from home. I nap. Occasionally I wolf some food down for 5 minutes first.

When I worked out in an office I'd sit in my car and eat a large box of salad. Agree with a pp they take ages. I was amazed when I forgot to buy ingredients and took leftover pizza instead, at how much longer my hour seemed. Another reason to not go for healthy food :(

What has always pissed me off are the people that make breakfast at work (I’m talking tea, toast, boiled eggs etc.) have numerous tea breaks and chat, then eat lunch before ambling out for their ‘lunch hour’. I’ve done work audits [redacted UK location] where people had been claiming overtime; “Ok, you’ve logged on at 07:00, what did you do?”. “I ate an apple and did my puzzle”. That wasn’t the worse . . .

I get an hour but work through lunch, colleagues pile work on me, there's not enough hours in the day, I get paid for 7 hrs a day but work at least 10. When I complained I got a slow hand clap and a "bravo" from one of my line managers 🙄
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