A recent survey by ezCater claims that nearly 40 percent of Gen Z workers regularly skip lunch because of heavy workloads and guilt.

The 2024 Lunch Report highlights that 47 percent of Gen Z workers miss lunch at least twice a week, despite acknowledging the positive impact of breaks on job performance.

Specifically,

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. https://www.fox13news.com/news/gen-z-workers-skip-lunch-due-to-workload-guilt (Oct. 17, 2024).

Commentary

The source cites heavy workloads and guilt as the reasons for employees not taking lunch. If employees feel guilty because they have work that must be completed to meet a quota or deadline, then the fault is with management.

First, a heavy workload, a quota, or a deadline that must be met is not an exception to state labor laws requiring meal breaks.

Even if the reason for skipping is wholly personal with a particular employee, skipping meal breaks is problematic. Meal breaks are mandated in many states because research shows that without them, it can lead to safety issues and mental health issues, including burnout.

Nevertheless, employees cite pressure from managers and supervisors, directly or indirectly, that quotas or deadlines are more important than meal breaks. Again, that is not an employee work ethic issue, but a workload management issue. 

The final takeaway is that one of the primary roles of managers and supervisors is to make certain that quotas and deadlines are achievable without compromising employee well-being.