Just 30% of Canadian workers take a 1-hour lunch

April 11 2001 - A new survey of job hunters visiting workopolis.com shows that only around a half of respondents (53%) take a lunch break every day. A third eat lunch at their desks (or on the run) every day and another 36% do so two or three times a week. And when they do eat lunch the largest proportion (42%) take just 15-30 minutes.

"This survey shows that a surprising number of workers are forgoing the traditional lunch hour and instead staying at their desks or continuing to work," says Kim Peters, President of Workopolis, Canada's biggest job site. "As the day to day pressures of work continue to grow, many workers may find it's easier to continue working on a task that's already been started rather than put it aside to take a break".

Do you take a break for lunch every day at work?

Yes........................... 53%
No............................ 47%

How often do you eat at your desk or on the run?

Every day................... 33%
2-3 Times a Week........ 36%
Almost Never............... 31%

On average, how much time do you take for lunch?

Less than 15 minutes.... 26%
15-30 minutes............. 42%
30-60 minutes............. 30%
Over 60 minutes........... 2%

And when asked: "If you are having a bad day at work, what are you most likely to choose to have for lunch?" Respondents came out with a wide variety of answers, the most common being: fast food, chocolate bars, pizza, soup and potato chips.

Some responses were a little unusual, including: pork and beans, gummy bears, pork rinds, alcohol and 'whatever is left in the fridge.'