In an October 10th post, HR Executive Magazine Online posted “Make Time for Break Time”, where they highlighted a recent University of Toronto research study on lunch breaks. The study—entitled Lunch Breaks Unpacked: Examining the Effect of Daily Lunch-Break Activities and Control over Break Activities on Fatigue—shows the importance of encouraging breaks away from offices and desks. The research also shows breaks’ positive effect on employees’ energy levels — and, in turn, productivity — when they’re in control of their time spent.
Personally, I have definitely found this to be the case. I have a strong need to get away from the office and away from my desk. When I do, I am much more productive throughout the day. For my first 10 years of work, I’m not sure I thought too much about this. Then, I read John Maxwell’s The 360o Leader. In the book, Maxwell encourages strong relationships upward with your boss…check…downward relationships with your team members…check…and horizontal relationships with your peers…uh oh…
