Vocabulary
- Vital
- Forego
- Remunerated
- Constraints
- Albeit
Article
The idea that breakfast constitutes the most vital meal of the day has long been debated, though the reality is that a significant proportion of workers struggle to navigate the workday without sustenance provided by a midday meal, or lunch.
A new report issued by the US catering company ezCater highlights a pressing issue: nearly half of American workers forego lunch on a regular basis, with this frequency escalating to a staggering seventy percent among the younger demographics.
To elucidate the scope of the problem, ezCater conducted a comprehensive survey of approximately 5,000 US employees, seeking insight into their lunchtime routines. The results underscored a striking statistic: nearly three-fifths of respondents admitted to skipping lunch at least once a week. Moreover, one in seven workers stated they never take a break from their desk to consume a meal.
In a notable paradox, while US labour laws do not mandate lunch breaks, numerous companies do provide time for their employees to dine outside the confines of their workstations. Although workers are often not remunerated for this period, the survey reveals overwhelming support for the notion that lunch breaks are a crucial aspect of employee well-being. A substantial majority (at least half of respondents) concurred that lunch breaks contribute to elevated job satisfaction and decreased stress levels.
However, several obstacles hinder the widespread adoption of lunch breaks. Approximately a quarter of participants cited time constraints as the primary impediment, as they felt compelled to expedite their work in order to complete tasks efficiently. Almost equally, many respondents expressed concern that taking a lunch break might preclude them from completing their duties within an acceptable time frame.
Another significant deterrent, albeit somewhat amusingly counter-intuitive, is the proliferation of online meetings. A notable segment of the workforce reported feeling constrained by the sheer volume of virtual interactions, leading to a situation where they feel uncomfortable partaking in a meal during these virtual encounters.
Summarize the article in your own words.
Speaking
- How often do you skip your lunch?
- What does your lunch break typically look like?
- Do you prefer eating your meals alone or with colleagues?
- What is your go-to recipe for lunch?
- Do you typically prep your lunch at home or buy a meal?
Writing
- Why do you think so many US workers skip their lunches? How does this compare to employees in your country?
Listening
- Describe what happened in this video. Would you eat this lunch?
English with Melody 