Lunch tradition loses out

3:25pm Wednesday 24th October 2007

Fresh evidence about the UK's long hours culture has been revealed with a new study showing many people work through their lunch break, often because their boss asked them to.

A survey of 1,300 adults shows the traditional lunch hour is a thing of the past, with half of then only taking 30 minutes for a meal break.

One in 10 of those polled admitted not take a lunch break, blaming bad weather, too much work or feeling guilty about leaving busy colleagues.

Many said they were less productive in the afternoons if they did not have a break.