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Last updated: 07/09/2006 - 10:45
'UK workers have no time for a lunch break' is the worrying picture painted by the results of an ICM poll commissioned by the PCS public service trade union.
Over half the UK workforce (57%) take less than 30 minutes for their lunch-break at work (the legal minimum for an average working day). 62% of those surveyed say they skip lunch, or lunch at their desk at least once a week, with one in five saying they do this everyday.
"The survey findings confirm what we already knew – long hours working in Britain is reaching epidemic proportions," says Mark Serwotka, Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) general secretary. "British workers take shorter lunch breaks, less holiday and work far longer hours than our European counterparts.
"A half an hour lunch break is the legal minimum for an average working day, but shockingly over half the UK workforce take less than this. 20% never take a lunch break at all. This sort of work pressure is not healthy for the employee, and it is not healthy for business."
ICM Research interviewed, by telephone, a random selection of 565 adults, aged 18+, and in full or part time work. Interviews were conducted across the country, and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
More information available in Work Life Balance