National Take Back the Lunch Break Day 2023: This one is for you if you skip your lunch break or eat at your workstation; come celebrate National Take Back the Lunch Break Day with us. This event is held annually on the third Friday of June to encourage American employees to step up to the lunch plate and take a regular, longer lunch break. Why does such a day exist? Multiple research studies demonstrated a trend of shorter and less frequent lunch breaks among American employees, resulting in decreased employee morale and well-being. This day was established as a reminder of the importance of lunch breaks.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY
Previously, electricity was the primary determinant of which meal was the most essential. In the Middle Ages, dinner, which was consumed late in the morning after several hours of labour, was the most important meal. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this meal was gradually moved to the evening, establishing a time gap between breakfast and dinner. A modest meal, known as supper, was crammed into this space. This meal was often a snack, but it was also frequently served at supper parties or luncheon parties, and it was typically designated for women. When their spouses were away, they would have a light lunch together, which typically consisted of leftovers from the previous evening’s dinner. When the Prince of Wales paused for a delicate lunch with female companions, he was ridiculed! Early in the eighteenth century, afternoon tea accompanied supper. As industrialization progressed, working hours also increased. This disrupted the rural workforce’s eating patterns. Initially, employees would bring their lunches from home, but as factories moved further away, this changed as well. Near factories, food stands and fast food restaurants began to appear.
Slowly, lunchtime began to undergo revolutionary changes; workers with lengthy and fixed hours were given an hour for lunch.
Soon, technological innovations such as the punch card made it possible to account for every second of a worker’s time. This progressively diminished the ‘fast lunch’ trend.
However, New York is said to be the birthplace of the ‘fast lunch’ culture. Due to the widespread presence of manufacturing facilities in this metropolis, a large number of workers were in need of affordable, quick food. There were drugstore lunch counters and Automats, followed by beverage fountains, sliced bread wrapped in plastic, and spreadable peanut butter. A reporter for The New York Times even timed diners at a solitary quick-service restaurant in Times Square over the course of a month. He discovered that New York’s reputation for consuming food almost entirely was accurate; one man completed his meal in 48 seconds!
People eventually grew tired of fast food and began to prepare their lunches. They would leave work together, and shared lunches became increasingly popular.
Four years ago, the global hygiene and health corporation Essity’s Tork brand commissioned a study. In spite of the fact that nearly all employees value lunch breaks, more than half cannot find the opportunity to take longer ones. According to their research, employees who take a non-working lunch break score higher on a variety of engagement metrics, such as job satisfaction and productivity. National Take Back the Lunch Break Day was created by Tork in an effort to increase employee satisfaction and productivity by promoting lunch breaks.
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National Take Back the Lunch Break Day: Interesting Facts
It determines the success of a job search.
When considering a new job, the ability to take a lunch break is essential to 88% of North American workers.
Mentality is crucial
Only 62% of employees feel encouraged to take a lunch break, despite the fact that 88% of managers encourage it.
The opinion regarding meal breaks
22% of North American managers believe workers who take lunch breaks are less productive.
What colleagues say
13% of North Americans believe they will be judged negatively by their colleagues if they take regular lunch breaks.
We require lunch periods
The majority of North American survey respondents, 58%, desire lengthier and more frequent lunch breaks.
NATIONAL TAKE BACK THE LUNCH BREAK DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 17 | Friday |
| 2023 | June 16 | Friday |
| 2024 | June 21 | Friday |
| 2025 | June 13 | Friday |
