Why do so many of us feel guilty about taking a lunch break?

New research from health psychologists at Staffordshire University explores why some employees feel guilty about taking their legally entitled breaks.

The paper's lead author Dr Mike Oliver explained: "The legally required minimum time for a lunch break at work is 20 minutes, however there is a growing trend nationally for large numbers of people not to take breaks at work, with surveys reporting that between 66% and 82% of workers don't always take their breaks.

"So, how have we got to the point where some people feel guilty about taking their legally allowable break? We were curious to look at the psychological and social behaviours of office workers to understand the enablers and barriers."

With many employees now working from home during the lockdown, Mike believes that some people may find it even harder to take breaks.

"We found that one of the best ways to make sure that you take breaks is to take them with your work colleagues, or to be encouraged to take them by your boss. If they are not physically near you, we may find it harder to act on these social prompts." 

For the research, groups of office workers at a large employer of differing levels of seniority were asked about their lunch break habits. 

The analysis identified five key themes: 

• 1. People's behaviours depend on various factors - it is not as simple as having those who do take breaks and those who don't.

  2. The influence of social and work relationships - if your colleagues take breaks then you are more likely to yourself and vice-versa.

  3. Faced with a choice when they're really busy, even if someone wants to take a break, then work "wins".

  4. Contradictory feelings - lots of people feel anxious and guilty about taking breaks, although some simply don't.

  5. Being 'fair game' for work related matters if you remain at your desk at break times.

Mike, who completed his Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at Staffordshire University last year, said: "This paper highlights the complex relationships that people have with taking breaks, with others and with their physical environment. Some participants did recognise the importance of taking a break in the middle of the day, but others appeared to convince themselves that by doing a less intense work activity, such as responding to emails, whilst eating their lunch at their desk, would actually be taking a break. 

"The greater importance that people appear to be placing on completing their work over the time they give themselves for breaks, or simply the sheer volume and pressure of work, may go some way to explaining this pattern of behaviour."

Mike and colleagues recommend further research and organisational changes to support improved workplace health and wellbeing. 

He added: "There is mounting concern about the amount of time people spend sitting down at work and not being physically active, so it is really important that people don't put work ahead of breaks and their own physical and psychological health."