47% of Gen Z employees skip lunch breaks due to guilt, new report reveals

The study surveyed 5,000 full-time employees to identify reasons behind this reluctance to take breaks. (Representative Image)

A recent study by ezCater has highlighted a troubling trend among Gen Z workers, revealing that many are forgoing lunch breaks out of guilt. According to the 2024 Lunch Report, nearly half of Gen Z respondents—47%—miss lunch twice or more each week. Despite the fact that 50% of these young professionals view lunch as the "best part of the workday," they are four times more likely than Baby Boomers to experience guilt when stepping away from their tasks.

This phenomenon appears to stem from a culture of relentless productivity that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2020 study from Freshly indicated that 60% of remote workers felt guilty about taking breaks, fearing it would negatively impact their productivity. Unfortunately, these feelings have persisted, as evidenced by a February 2024 survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Pacific Foods, which found that many 9-to-5 workers across the United States continue to skip essential breaks.

Despite acknowledging the importance of breaks—87% of employees reported that they are crucial for personal wellness—only 38% of workers actually disengaged from their desks during lunch. This contradiction highlights a significant issue, as 98% of participants recognised that taking breaks could enhance job performance and overall happiness, New York Post reported.

The study surveyed 5,000 full-time employees to identify reasons behind this reluctance to take breaks. It found that 23% of respondents feared that taking time away from their desks would hinder their ability to complete work, while 19% cited excessive meetings as a barrier to taking a lunch break.

Experts advocate for a culture shift within organisations to promote healthier work habits. Kaushik Subramanian, Chief Revenue Officer of ezCater, emphasised that lunch breaks play a vital role in fostering team cohesion and enhancing employee well-being. He suggested that providing lunch can incentivise employees to take necessary breaks, noting that 58% of hybrid workers would be more inclined to work onsite three days a week if their employers offered free meals.

Nutritionist Mia Syn corroborated these findings, stating that regular breaks can lead to reduced stress, increased productivity, and improved focus.