As an employee, your workday is filled with meetings, projects and emails, among other things. When it comes time for lunch, you may be looking forward to a half-hour or more of relaxation or discussion with your co-workers. According to a new study from Accountemps, you're not alone. The report found 49 percent of U.S. respondents preferred to spend their lunch break alone, while 46 percent would rather have a fellow employee join during the break. This study brings about a discourse on American behaviors during work breaks and both the positive and negative outcomes associated with taking time to step away from one's desk. Let's take a closer look:
Length of the break varies
Although the Fair Labor and Standards Act doesn't require companies to provide lunch breaks for employees, some states have stepped in to ensure workers receive at least one short period of time to step away from their work if they choose to do so, Nolo found. A survey by OfficeTeam discovered that although 38 percent of people polled took an hour – or more – for lunch, another 29 percent chose to work through their lunch breaks.
Not taking a break can have negative effects on employee creativity, as well as overall work, according to NPR. The off-period doesn't have to be for a meal, but rather just a chance to get out of the office, or at least away from a desk.
"…Creativity and innovation happen when people change their environment, and especially when they expose themselves to a nature-like environment…" Kimberly Elsbach, a professor at the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management, who studies workplace psychology, said.
While taking a walk around the block or throughout the office could help with work ethic, productivity and creativity, so could sharing a rest period with a co-worker.
Benefits of collaborative breaks
The Accountemps study found unch breaks are split 50-50 in terms of either spending the period alone or with a colleague. Although using a lunch break for alone time has its own advantages, including the ability to run personal errands, catch up on messages and let the mind recharge, sharing a meal with a fellow co-worker promotes collaboration and can increase company retention.
Spending a break with a colleague or two can help spark creativity, as lunch mates may offer a different perspective on a problem employees have been facing or a project they've been working on, Inc. magazine reported. Furthermore, making friends at work can also make for a happier employees, thus increasing potential to stay with a company for a longer period of time.
A survey by CareerBuilder found that 54 percent of employees who liked their colleagues cited it as the reason for staying with their company.
Collaborative breaks also allow workers to interact with employees from different departments and company sectors. This cross-pollination can thrust new ideas and concepts into the mix, resulting in a more creative workplace that encourages innovation.
Next steps for companies
Businesses and their human resources teams should foster a sense of creativity in the workplace by urging employees to take breaks throughout the day. Creating a welcoming company culture that promotes strong co-worker relationships can help employees stay on their game throughout the workday and increase positivity in the office.
Additionally, HR can create a space for collaboration within the workplace. This gives employees the chance to get away from their desk and engage in relaxing activities, including friendly discussions with fellow co-workers. Supporting frequent interaction can make employees feel valued on a deeper level, while also developing a higher retention rate.