Surf, Work And Mingle

Survey Reveals How Canadians Spend Their Lunch Breaks

TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - A new OfficeTeam survey reveals what Canadians are up to during their lunch breaks, and many times, it's more about the internet, socializing and business than it is the culinary. More than four in 10 (43 per cent) respondents reported that, aside from eating, they spend their lunch time surfing the web or on social media, while others revealed they socialize with coworkers (41 per cent) or work (32 per cent) during their lunch break. Nearly half (46 per cent) of workers polled said their typical lunch break lasts between 31-60 minutes.

The survey of office workers was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 275 Canadian workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.

Workers were asked, "Aside from eating, which of the following activities do you usually engage in during your lunch break?" Their responses*:

*Multiple responses allowed.

Workers were also asked, "What is the average length of your typical lunch break?" Their responses:

"Lunch breaks aren't just for eating -- they provide time to clear your head and recharge," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Workers also can use their lunch breaks to get to know colleagues better and build their professional networks."

OfficeTeam offers five tips for making the most of your lunch break:

1. Take a real break. As much as possible, avoid doing work during your lunch break so you can use the time to truly relax and recharge.
2. Bon appétit! Getting the proper nutrients will provide the energy you need to get through the rest of the day. Go ahead and take the time to savour your food!
3. Get out. Step away from your desk to clear your mind and stretch your body. Take a walk outside or exercise at the gym.
4. Don't eat alone. Join coworkers in the break room or grab a bite with others outside the office. Your lunch break is a great opportunity to socialize with colleagues and make new networking connections.
5. Check items off your list. Taking care of personal tasks during lunch can mean there's less to worry about after work.

About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam is North America's leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.officeteam.com. Follow OfficeTeam at twitter.com/officeteam and gain insights into the latest administrative hiring and salary trends at www.officeteam.com/salarycentre.

Image with caption: "Survey reveals how Canadians spend their lunch breaks (CNW Group/OfficeTeam)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140116_C8930_PHOTO_EN_35554.jpg

SOURCE: OfficeTeam