- Study highlights the growing need for flexible meal options amid Flexible Work Arrangements
- Less than half of Singapore’s workforce surveyed are fully utilising their lunch hour, despite employers’ perceptions, citing heavy workload and overall lack of time
- 82% of employees surveyed agree that “Eating properly during the working day helps to boost my productivity and engagement”.
- 42% of employees prefer meal allowances on a flexible-to-order basis, with 85% agreeing that employer-supported flexible meal options positively impact well-being, especially when working from the office.
Singapore – A new report by Deliveroo for Work (DfW), the corporate arm of Deliveroo, which surveyed 500 employees and 200 employers in late January, has unveiled workplace sentiments around employee engagement and productivity through the lens of lunch hour habits, highlighting their impact on well-being and efficiency.
This survey comes in the wake of the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) introduced last December, which has driven many businesses to reassess workplace policies to better support employee needs and well-being. It also comes timely as the proportion of firms offering flexible work arrangements increased from 68.1% in 2023, to 72.7% in 2024, according to Singapore’s Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang.
With eight in ten employers in Singapore feeling prepared to implement FWAs, and 70% of organisations having established processes for managing FWA requests, the way employees experience and structure their workday, including their lunch breaks, is undoubtedly evolving.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide, on behalf of Deliveroo for Work, shed light on how employees are adjusting to these changes and the potential role of flexible meal solutions in improving workplace productivity and engagement.
Rethinking Lunch Breaks
Flexibility in lunch timings play a vital role in supporting employee well-being and productivity, yet not many have the luxury of it. While 82% of workers agree that eating properly during the workday helps them stay productive, rigid lunch schedules and time constraints often make it difficult to disengage from tasks for a full break or spend a big portion of that break waiting in long queues at the same time as everyone else. In fact, fewer than one-third (32%) of employees regularly take advantage of their full lunch hour, with 73% acknowledging that not eating properly impacts their performance.
This shift is even more evident under FWAs, where just 1 in 3 (32%) white-collar employees take a full lunch break, and 14% spend less than 30 minutes on lunch. For blue-collar workers, only 32% fully utilise their breaks when working remotely, compared to 45% when on-site.
Despite the importance of lunch breaks, there’s also a clear disconnect between employer perception and employee behavior. While 96% of employers believe their staff are fully utilising their lunch breaks, employees surveyed revealed skipping or cutting their lunches short, often eating quickly at their desks.
With heavy workloads (46%) and lack of time (36%) cited as top reasons for skipping breaks, the demand for convenient, company-sponsored meal solutions is growing. Whether employees prefer to eat at their desk, have a team lunch, or need a quick meal on-the-go, 81% of employees say they appreciate having the ability to decide how and when they take their lunch.
This is where flexible, order-based meal allowances which allow employees to order for pickup or delivery come into play. By giving employees the freedom to order meals that fit their schedule, without the need to step out, queue, or cut into their workday, companies can empower their teams to stay fueled, productive, and engaged in a way that works best for them.
Through solutions such as Deliveroo for Work, companies can take a more proactive approach by providing employees with access to significantly more meal choices beyond the immediate vicinity of their office or home along with efficient pickup or delivery options to accommodate their busy schedules without sacrificing the quality of their lunches.
Shared Meals: A Key Driver of Workplace Productivity
Lunch breaks aren’t just about food: they play a key role in workplace culture, team bonding, and productivity. Yet, more than half (52%) of employees eat at their desks, missing out on the chance to reset and connect with colleagues.
Going beyond just having the flexibility of how and when employees can have their lunch breaks, the survey also highlights a strong link between team lunches and workplace productivity, with 71% of employees agreeing that shared meals and company-sponsored lunches have a positive impact on their well-being and collaboration. When given the choice, employees prefer eating with their teammates (55%), and this jumps to 79% when meals are company-sponsored, reinforcing how shared meals help build stronger workplace relationships.
Employers are increasingly recognising this trend, and are open to organising regular team lunches (50%), considering meal sponsorships for remote employees (87%), and supportive of meal benefits for in-office teams (97%).
Jason Parke, General Manager of Deliveroo Singapore, said,”Our findings show that team lunches and sponsored meals go beyond just a shared meal. They foster a greater sense of collaboration, flexibility and overall workplace productivity. Companies that invest in flexible meal solutions such as Deliveroo for Work can not only keep employees motivated and engaged but also contribute to a more connected and dynamic work environment as employees work around their work schedules to effectively still have their meals.”
“As ways of working continue to evolve, it’s encouraging to see businesses recognising the value of shared meals. By partnering with companies, Deliveroo for Work hopes to support this shift, making workplace dining more accessible with more options and adaptable to different needs,” she added.
As more organisations gear up for FWAs and workplace dynamics continue to shift, providing flexible meal options through solutions such as Deliveroo for Work, whether for solo lunches or team gatherings, is now a testament to bridging the gap between employee needs and employer support, fostering a more connected and engaged workforce.
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