Lunch breaks are shrinking as more workers than ever skip meals to catch up on work

According to the 2024 Lunch Report, which surveyed 1,000 full-time employees nationwide and
4,000 workers across 10 different major cities for lunch-break data, nearly half of full-time employees, or 49%, admit to skipping lunch at least once a week.

The reasons vary: Some workers feel they won’t have enough time to complete their tasks if they take a break, while others are overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings or simply want to finish their workday earlier. As a result, fewer employees are stepping away from their desks for the rejuvenating break they need. In fact, only 38% of those surveyed said they manage to take a lunch break away from their desk every day.

When you look at the generational breakdown, it turns out Gen Z is the most likely to skip lunch, with over half of young workers saying they miss the meal twice a week.

So why is Gen Z skipping so often, when ezCater also reports it’s their favorite part of the work day and they’re the age group most likely to block off a dedicated lunch break on their calendar?

It could be guilt.

EzCater noted that Gen Z workers are four times more likely than Boomers to feel guilty for taking a break from work. The age group also reports having their break scheduled over with meetings, even when trying to set time aside.

While more workers are skipping their midday meals, a whopping 98% of those surveyed still believe a lunch break improves their job performance. Those who took a break reported feeling happier and less burned out.

In place of lunch breaks, there has been a rise in what the 2024 Lunch Report calls “little treat culture,” influenced heavily by the TikTok trend of the same name. According to ezCater, 87% of Gen Z employees say they indulge at least once a week in a “little treat.” That’s more than any other generation. For young workers, specialty coffee breaks, sweet snacks, and quick savory bites are replacing lunch as a reward for powering through a busy day. Gen Z is also more likely to spend money on these treats, with 28% spending over $10 a week on small indulgences, compared to just 15% of older generations.

For employers looking to get their hybrid workers into the office, instead of just “coffee-badging,” the 2024 Lunch Report also confirmed that free lunch is a motivator for workers. According to ezCater, 58% of hybrid employees say they would work at least three days a week on-site if their employer-provided free lunch.

In a work culture where lunch breaks are disappearing, offering small perks like free meals could be the key to boosting productivity, well-being, and in-office attendance.