Tassie workers shun lunch break

ABOUT 40 per cent of Tasmanians do not take a lunch break, instead eating at their desks or not eating at all.

A study commissioned by Sandhurst Fine Foods reveals another 20 per cent of Tasmanian workers take only between five and 10-minute lunch breaks each day.

The study shows up to 80 per cent of Tasmanian workers don’t buy their lunch, instead making it at home and taking it with them to work – well above the national average of 49 per cent.

Australian Psychological Society state chairman Darren Stops said that skipping lunch breaks was both physically and mentally damaging to people’s health.

“For health reasons we need to be physically moving, not just sitting still at our desks all day,” Mr Stops said.

“Particularly in winter, when there is an increase in depressive symptoms, it is important to get outside in the sunlight and get some vitamin D.

“Many of us go to work at 8am and don’t leave until 5pm so we don’t see much daylight.”