Survey: Nearly 40% of Gen Z workers skip lunch due to workload, guilt
LOS ANGELES - The 2024 Lunch Report by ezCater reveals that nearly 40% of Gen Z workers regularly skip lunch, with 47% missing it at least twice a week. This generation, born between 1997 and 2012, faces the pressures of heavy workloads and guilt over taking a break.
While half of Gen Z workers acknowledge lunch as the best part of their workday, many still feel the need to push through without a break. Gen Z is four times more likely than Baby Boomers to feel guilty about taking time off for lunch.
How does skipping lunch affect work performance?
Despite skipping lunch, Gen Z workers understand the importance of breaks. Every Gen Z worker surveyed agreed that taking a lunch break positively impacts their job performance. However, the guilt and workload pressures still lead many to forgo these essential breaks.
A separate study from New York University showed that unpredictable work schedules contribute to poor sleep, fatigue, and emotional exhaustion, underscoring the need for regular breaks.
Is lunch skipping a broader issue among workers?
The issue of skipping lunch isn't unique to Gen Z. The ezCater survey found that 49% of all workers miss lunch at least once a week. Of all employees, 23% said they simply don't have enough time to take a break due to heavy workloads, while 19% blamed back-to-back meetings.
How can workplaces promote healthier habits?
Experts and reports urge companies to foster a healthier work culture by encouraging employees to take regular breaks. "Lunch breaks can bring people together and improve overall well-being," said Kaushik Subramanian, ezCater’s chief revenue officer.