To ask if you take your lunch break?

[moutonfou]

I'm lucky to have been in a job where people are encouraged to take their whole lunch break, away from the desk.

I'm on lunch break in a new job now and there seem to be quite a number of desk eaters. I really hope it's not that kind of place. Of course if it's a particularly busy day, I'll happily shorten or skip lunch, but I won't work through lunch on a normal day, where my work's all on track, just for the sake of presenteeism.

What's the norm for others?

Nope I eat a bag of crisps while marking and getting resources ready. I have eaten in the staff room twice in two years

I work in a small customer service based branch and it is very difficult to take a full break. I'm part time and should get an hour, but I reckon I'm lucky to get 30mins, some days it's 20. When I was full time I was only entitled to 30mins (rest of hour rounded up with half day Saturday to give a full day off in the week), so taking a short break didn't bother me, but it really gets my goat now. No one else is entitled to an hour, so I feel judged if I take it. I'm management, so I only have myself to blame for feeling that way!

I work 3 days a week and fit 24 hours into those 3 days so I only have half an hour for lunch. I tend to eat at my desk because a) there is no staff room. b) I bring lunch from home and c) sometimes I'll have a long lunch with colleagues if there is something to celebrate etc. so make up time the other days. I'm based in Central London so plenty of places to go if we go for a nice lunch.

We get 35 mins lunch in school
and I don't leave my classroom. I always try and cram
In some admin or marking but this week I've been inundated with Year 11's who come to say 'Hi' then use my room to chill and mess around in.

I'm forcing myself out tomorrow because I need some headspace 😫

I'm a TA with very high needs children. I don't mind doing the odd bits of paperwork etc in my lunch break but I do make sure I have at least 20 minutes on my own.

We don't get a set lunch.if we are rotored on say; 10 -6 We get paid for 8 hours. We just take a break when ever we feel like or it fits in with what's going on.
Sometimes things are happening around lunch time so you can't drop everything and take a break.

It isn't 'being a martyr', or 'poor time management', it is a conscious choice (in a lot of cases) where people would rather finish work 1/2 hour earlier, than sit in a staffroom for 30mins in the middle of the day.

I used to work through more often than not. But it got me nowhere and I realised I needed a break. I still occasionally eat at my desk but most days I eat in our lovely kitchen area, then go for a short walk.

I work on the edge of an industrial estate and am 5 minutes walk from a path through fields, which makes for a very refreshing break. It helped me deal with a stressful period at work. Sometimes I go with someone else but most days I go alone. Most days I just appreciate the fresh air and being able to some sensible thinking and get things into perspective.

No lunch break here. Self employed and as they say time is money

Astonished at how many don't get a worthwhile break! I often go out just for 10-15 minutes but it's better than nothing. I do start work about half an hour early every day and stay behind for up to an hour at the end of the day, just in case you think I'm living in a fairy tale!

Eat lunch in office and then walk for exercise until 1 hour is up - dont get paid for lunch so dont work it and I am a director of the company. I encourage my staff to do the same - makes for a more productive and profitable afternoon

I block out an hour (or half hour on my short working days) in my calendar and pretty much always stop for lunch. On my short days I usually eat at my desk while working and then use my break for a walk around the block. When I've got an hour I usually go for a run, do an exercise class or meet friends and then walk together. I need the break and I want to give a good example to my staff. There are loads of lunchtime activities at my work, choir, gym classes, language lessons, various running groups, orchestra, chess playing, karate, table tennis, fundraising events for charity, knitting groups, so it's the culture in my organisation.

Last firm - encouraged not to take lunch, start early, stay late work weekends ...
Current firm director is a gym junkie so once a week we have a bootcamp session as a team the other days I run - everyone takes the break. It's a demanding environment, but everyone gets the job done.

Music teacher in high school here and only ever have 10 mins for lunch followed by rehearsals for 40 mins although it's not in my contact to work during lunch hour (50 mins), it is expected from music staff in every school I've been in. My teachers did it for me too.

I get an hour but I usually take between 15-20 minutes.

What rainybo said - I'd much rather sit in peace at my desk, eating and reading or going online.

I prefer to work through lunch and leave earlier. Aware this is not an option for most people though.

I prefer to work through lunch and leave earlier. Aware this is not an option for most people though.

we are not allowed to do this at work, as HR has decreed that we are bound by an EU directive that after 6 hours work, you need to take a 20 minute break. We are not paid for breaks. I try to arrive 15 minutes early and then leave 15 minutes early instead.

Yep it's 45 minutes interrupted! Sometimes I don't use all of it up though.

Breaks are unpaid where I work (small charity), but we have to take 20 min break once we work over 6 hrs. I tend to eat at desk and leave earlier. Lots of flexibility with hours though, which is worth it I think.

Self employed here. Most days I work through lunch but then fit in a dog walk later in the day.

And some days I just take the whole day off.

I'm a supply teacher and I tend to spend my lunch break marking the morning's work so that I don't have as much to do after school and can get away earlier.

It varies. We officially get 30 minutes. Some days I just bring something and eat at my desk while I work, other days I will go outside for 15 minutes sunshine, sometimes my colleague and I treat ourselves and take an hour at a local restaurant. It's all very flexible (as it should be in a professional role), nobody takes the piss.

Totally depends. In the last 2 weeks i have missed a few lunches. But its been exceptionally busy few weeks for me.

Usually i do and leave my desk.

It depends on how busy I am but I often take 45 mins away from my desk. Sometimes 15 mins at my desk. Sometimes 1.5 hours cafe lunch with friends. We can manage our own time so sometimes I go in late or come home early.

I am a teacher at a university.