Workers Who Take a Lunch Break Are More Productive

As an attorney, Frances Slusarz is used to working 12-hour days and taking a 10-minute lunch break at her desk. Working during her lunch break can mean the difference between working late and getting home in time to put her three children to bed.

But since organizing a "Take Back Your Lunch" event every Wednesday this summer in Stamford, Conn., Slusarz has found she's more energized and is a more productive worker after the weekly one-hour lunches with other workers who found it difficult to use an hour of a workday for something other than work. As for the other four workdays, Slusarz has increased her lunch to 20-30 minutes, which she considers a success.