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ARTICLE · 06 NOVEMBER 2025

Lunch Breaks: Is It Really Your Choice To Skip Them?

Rothera Bray
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Ever found yourself eating lunch at your desk or skipping it altogether just to keep up with your workload? You're not alone.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Joshua Davies
Joshua Davies
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Ever found yourself eating lunch at your desk or skipping it altogether just to keep up with your workload? You're not alone. Whether it's pressure from deadlines or a workplace culture that frowns on stepping away, many employees feel they have no choice but to power through. But your lunch break isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a legal right.

Understanding your entitlement to rest breaks isn't just about knowing the law. It's about protecting your wellbeing and ensuring your employer is meeting their obligations.

Your legal right to step away

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, most adult workers in England and Wales are legally entitled to a break. Here's what the law says:

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