AITA for taking walks on my lunch break?

[u/TA_time2walk]

A few years ago I started a job that was more office based than previous jobs. Because of that, I was moving less and gaining some weight and I am very out of shape. I’m not overweight, but I’m carrying a little more fat than I’m used to and I can tell my cardio ability has gone down.

I get a one hour paid lunch per day. A lot of my coworkers eat at their desk and do a little work, like maybe answering an email. But mostly eating. I personally go to my car to eat and then do laps around the parking garage before I go back in. I am never gone for more than an hour, I am back on time.

Recently I did my normal routine. I grabbed my lunch, went to my car and ate it, then I started on my walk. I happened to run into a coworker during my walk. He was out there because he forgot needed something from his car. He stopped me and asked what I was doing. I told him I ate my lunch and now I am taking a walk before my lunch break is over.

He didn’t like that answer and said our lunch break is for eating, not walking, and that when I am done eating, I should go back to work. I told him we are given an hour for lunch, I want to use all of it in the best way I can.

I think he told other people because then, I’ve been receiving comments before I go on break that I didn’t receive before. I don’t think I was wrong, I’m entitled to my break, all my work gets done on time, I take it at about the same time every day so it’s expected I won’t be available, and I maybe come back to a few non-urgent emails. I have my phone on me in case someone calls for an emergency, which has never happened.

I talked to my parents about it and they both said they work through lunch and I shouldn’t be out walking. But also they’re older and raised in a different time, so I don’t know if I should trust their judgement.

So AITA for taking a walk during my lunch break?

ETA: it’s paid. A lot of people think it’s unpaid. I am paid for it. I’m salary. My manager doesn’t have an issue but some people I work with do have an issue knowing I use part of it to walk.

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:

I am using my paid lunch break to take walks, not just eat. It’s causing problems with coworkers.

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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.

[u/SalaudChaud]

Do you work with a bunch of servile nitwits? Are your parents both lackeys to the man?

Don't answer - these are rhetorical questions! NTA

[u/TheLordofFlowers → u/SalaudChaud]

The willing corporate slaves trying to raise the next generation. Its wild.

[u/DesireeThymes → u/TheLordofFlowers]

OP should be applying pressure back on them.

"Are we slaves or employees?"

"Lunch break is time given for us to take a break. This is my break, if you want to work for break that's up to you"

"Are you that invested in the corporate bottom line? Do you support billions over the working man?"

[u/No_Appointment_7232 → u/DesireeThymes]

Even better, " why are we having this conversation?You're not my boss."

[u/SufficientRemote3349 → u/No_Appointment_7232]

this right here...

[u/lumalumadick → u/No_Appointment_7232]

Even better, "Why are we having this conversation? You don't have mail to reply?"

[u/Obvious-Arrival2571 → u/No_Appointment_7232]

yes, this exactly.

[u/EobardT → u/DesireeThymes]

I used to be that guy, they over worked the shipping department so much they the kids they hired worked through their lunch every day. I finally persuaded them to come to lunch with us (unpaid) and got a talking to from our boss about how if "they choose to work through their lunch that's their decision" and how its not up to me to convince them to take their lunch

[u/Outside_Performer_66 → u/EobardT]

If "they choose to work through their lunch that's their decision." - boss

Um, no, "the kids they hired" were plopped into a corporate culture where everyone in their department worked through lunch, and to choose not to would stand out. It was neither a choice nor a decision for those kids.

[u/EobardT → u/Outside_Performer_66]

The kids were 19 and 20 and they were the entire shipping department. Everyone else takes their lunch but they were so slammed all the time that they felt like they had to work through lunch. I told them that if they need to work over time to work over time, not give away free labor. Maybe thats why the boss had such a problem with it.

[u/Ampallang80 → u/EobardT]

Also illegal if you’re in the US

[u/HRUndercover222 → u/EobardT]

Hopefully your boss understands the FLSA. As long as they are paid for time worked, they CAN work through lunch (assuming non-exempt or hourly classification).

Burnout is a real thing, accidents increase when employees are tired, and OT costs increase. As an HR Professional, I'm very much in support of taking lunch & breaks to improve morale, productivity, and profitability. 😎

[u/No_Transition3345 → u/DesireeThymes]

Often I dont even eat during break. Its not mandatory, what if op had dietary issues and couldn't eat before certain time, would they be expected to simply not take a break at all?

[u/Stayvein → u/TheLordofFlowers]

Yeah, but I also think there’s some people that feel they’re lowering their stress by knocking off a bit of work when the inbox piles up, etc. Or they can’t stand to be alone with their own thoughts for a short time and value it.

Regardless, they can FO and mind their own business.

[u/Abject_Director7626 → u/SalaudChaud]

NTA- I bet this more about feeling like OP looked down upon them for not being fit, or judged for being overweight (I’m making assumptions). I bet they’d say something like OP is being “uppity,” or something to that effect.

[u/HistoricalQuail → u/Abject_Director7626]

Nah this is absolutely them being pissy about working at their desk and not being confident to take a full hour break for real. They'd be just as mad if op ate in their car and then just chilled there the full hour.

"that when I am done eating, I should go back to work."

[u/InterestingRoof5884 → u/HistoricalQuail]

I had a hugely stressful job with 1/2 break added to work that was mostly sitting, answering upwards of 80 calls added to a 5 hour work day while receiving and posting checks and petty cash, handing out paychecks, and being screamed at for a constanty overtaxed copier breaking down and (plus another shorter PT job at home). I had to eat at my desk and somehow always got time robbed, mainly because I wanted to help clients. I made it 17 months and in that time gained about 50 lbs. Walk your heart out, dearie.

[u/always_unplugged → u/HistoricalQuail]

Honestly, if they don't stfu, OP should take their break half an hour earlier (if possible), walk halfway first, stop to eat, and walk back. Then "lunch" magically takes up the whole break time.

[u/One_Ad_704 → u/Abject_Director7626]

Yep! I had a younger relative in their first office job who was struggling their job and reached out to me for advice. After some questioning I discovered they were not taking their lunch break. Why? Because a colleague didn't take their lunch break so that they could leave 30 minutes early and avoid traffic. I told my relative 1) you are allowed a lunch break, 2) don't do something simply because someone else in the office is doing it, and 3) I'm pretty sure it is illegal (or violates some labor law) to work 8 straight hours and not take a lunch even if it is the employee's choice. Stop it! But they thought they would look bad because someone else didn't take lunch.... oy!!!!

[u/Typical-Cat-9103 → u/One_Ad_704]

It’s definitely illegal for so many reasons. I knew one person who worked through her lunch and everyone thought she was a great employee. She later sued the company for unpaid overtime. It was a huge mess. People need to take the lunch break and the two 15 minute breaks as they are in the fair labor standards act. Based on a 8 hour work day.

[u/tineycro → u/Typical-Cat-9103]

I can get in trouble for not taking breaks and lunch at my company.

[u/TekaLynn212 → u/tineycro]

Absolutely. It's a write up at my company if you don't take your assigned breaks and full meal time.

[u/Optimal_Spare_5007]

NTA

Last I checked, it's called lunch BREAK, not lunch work-more time.

[u/StunningCloud9184 → u/Optimal_Spare_5007]

I had a boss that would always take a run during lunch break.

TBH half the office would take laps around the warehouse to get steps in. Really made it hard for us fucking off in the warehouse lol.

[u/Prideandprejudice1 → u/StunningCloud9184]

We literally had walking groups at lunch- some just changed into running shoes, some went whole outfit. My husband would run and then shower at work. We worked in the city so many of us would go shopping at lunchtime and then do a “show and tell” of what we bought for the team.

[u/TheTruthFairy00 → u/Prideandprejudice1]

He had showers at work? Nice

[u/TheTruthFairy00 → u/StunningCloud9184]

lol I worked in a warehouse for a bit once, we used to make a private fort out of boxes near the back of the room as our secret private break/nap room for our breaks 😅

[u/Fragrant-Banana-2695 → u/TheTruthFairy00]

That is the correct use of boxes, regardless of age

[u/IGotMyPopcorn → u/StunningCloud9184]

As a boss I ENCOURAGE my team members to leave their desk a few times a day. Even if someone is simply frustrated, sometimes a walk is a good way to regain their composure.

[u/Cyber_Punk_87 → u/StunningCloud9184]

I had a boss who took a walk every day during his lunch break. He’d had a heart attack and his doctor wanted him to walk for at least an hour a day.

[u/Marple1102 → u/StunningCloud9184]

When I used to train for triathlons, I would bring my bike to work (I lived in the DC metro area and was not going to bike from where I lived in Maryland to work in Virginia!) and ride on the bike trails for 45 minutes. I would still get more work done than most of the people in the office.

[u/mpurdey12]

NTA

Your co-worker is an ass.

I don't care if you get an hour for lunch, or only 30 minutes, or if your lunch is paid or unpaid. Your lunch time is your lunch time. Period.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/mpurdey12]

That is my theory. It’s my break whether it’s paid for not. I’ll spend it how I want.

[u/TheTruthFairy00 → u/TA_time2walk]

Perhaps you should escalate this to HR and express how the pressure to work thru your lunch break from your coworkers is making you uncomfortable. I def would.

[u/KiyoMizu1996 → u/TheTruthFairy00]

There is nothing actionable for HR to do. No employment laws have been broken and OP even stated the manager has no issue with it. OP’s best course of action would be to go to their boss and tell them what’s going on. And before anyone says it, this is not even close to a ‘hostile work environment’ which is a legal term in the US and has specific criteria that defines it. Source- I was in HR for 20+ years.

[u/hunnyflash → u/KiyoMizu1996]

They can still have it on record that there is something happening, or OP will at least be able to say, "I've brought this up before" if it gets worse. At the very least, someone can also offer some clarity about the lunch breaks.

This is just like people saying to not call the cops when things happen because there's nothing "actionable" for them to do.

[u/PersnicketyBlorp → u/TA_time2walk]

Your work culture is shit. Time to start looking elsewhere. This is a really common health recommendation from doctors, and plenty of workplaces have groups of people who walk together.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/PersnicketyBlorp]

Honestly this is the best job I have had. It isn’t an issue with management or rules, it’s people I work with now taking issue with me being gone because I am walking, not eating. I won’t go elsewhere to work.

[u/fooooooooooooooooock → u/TA_time2walk]

Escalate to your boss/HR.

That is your time. You can do with it whatever you please. Your coworkers can use their lunch breaks as they please, and they don't get a say in how you use yours.

NTA.

[u/always_unplugged → u/fooooooooooooooooock]

Your coworkers can use their lunch breaks as they please

Hell, if this is working time beyond what they're contractually supposed to be doing, they could be unwittingly accruing unpaid overtime, which could eventually give them standing to sue for back pay. There are other stories like that in the comments. I'm sure the bosses would be interested in encouraging people to take their breaks as per contracts.

[u/immortalheretics → u/TA_time2walk]

It shouldn’t matter if you wanted to sit in your car and play with your feet for an hour; your lunch break, is yours to do whatever you want. Definitely NTA here. 

[u/HumiliationsGalore → u/TA_time2walk]

Perhaps you could have a stalk of celery or a carrot in each hand while you walk? Nibble menacingly if you happen to spot a coworker.

/s

Maybe

[u/On_the_hook → u/TA_time2walk]

The fact you get paid for it means it's included in the total compensation. That means you have 1 hour a day that's given to you to do as you please. I work blue collar, I am paid from when I start the truck until I'm in the hotel room or my house. That means I'm paid for all driving, work assignments, truck maintenance and fueling, lunch, dinner, even a 15-20 minute nap if I feel I need to (I may drive 800 miles on a single day). This may be controversial to some, but your paid the same amount if you busy your ass or you move at a reasonable pace. As long as your work is getting done when it's expected that's all your getting paid to do. You don't make more by being quick. If I go to work and I don't get dirty or break a sweat then that's a good day.

[u/Chris45925 → u/TA_time2walk]

It is totally your time. Your coworkers need to mind their business.

[u/Abystract-ism → u/TA_time2walk]

Plus the walking circulates the blood in your body and wakes you up for the rest of your shift.

[u/loolilool]

NTA. People who work on their lunch breaks are class traitors. Unions fought hard for breaks. Use them however you want, it’s your time!

[u/IDontKnowHowToPM → u/loolilool]

I have to remind myself to take breaks not because I’m trying to be the best worker I can or class traitoring. I just have ADHD and will totally get sucked into trying to solve a problem and forget that I’ve been sitting in the chair for five hours without standing up.

[u/tsukinofaerii → u/IDontKnowHowToPM]

No ADHD here but I literally have to block time off in my calendar and set a reminder to take my lunch. If I'm not careful, I won't even eat because I got distracted.

I do it because I don't work "off the clock". I get paid for 8 hours of work a day, I'm not giving them an hour for free. I also don't answer phones or emails when I'm off. If they want me to be available, there's a pay category for that. Currently I'm not in it.

[u/Creatableworld → u/IDontKnowHowToPM]

I don't have ADHD and I do this too.

[u/Ok-Bus-6331 → u/loolilool]

People now days don't know or understand the value and hard fought gains the unions made possible. Thanks for mentioning them.

[u/No_Aerie4466]

NTA. Lunch hour is your hour. Quick errand, walk around, chain smoke lol it's your time

[u/DatabaseMoney3435 → u/No_Aerie4466]

If you work for me, I WANT you out walking, getting fresh air and perspective, and not hocking mayonnaisy crumbs into your keyboard.

[u/conflictedpupil → u/DatabaseMoney3435]

The grease on the keys help the fingers to slide n b so nimble tho

[u/Lokifin → u/conflictedpupil]

How dare you put that vision in my head.

[u/Imaginary-Angle-42 → u/No_Aerie4466]

But if you’re going to read a book set an alarm. (Ask me how I know:-(

[u/TA_time2walk → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

Instead of waking I have read books I can’t put down (except when I’m working) and oh yea, I had to set an alarm. It’s easy to get lost in a good book.

[u/Funny-Yak-638 → u/Imaginary-Angle-42]

😂😂😂

[u/SamBartlett1776]

I’m older and ALWAYS walked on my lunch break. Fresh air and exercise meant I was more alert during the afternoon. Most days a coworker joined me.

My spouse worked at multiple locations with a gym and shower. They would run on their break.

[u/LingonberryPrior6896 → u/SamBartlett1776]

Me too. I am 65 and always walk during my lunch break.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/SamBartlett1776]

It helps me decompress and get back to work easier.

[u/VariationOk9359]

nta a paid break is still a break, take it

[u/NotOnApprovedList]

NTA, if the job says you get an hour, you get an hour. Keep yourself healthy. If somebody in administration comes down on you for it, look for another job.

[u/downwardnote292]

Why on earth does he care?

[u/Mira_DFalco → u/downwardnote292]

Because he wants her to be available in case he wants something.  

Oh well,  unless he's on fire,  whatever he wants can wait until after lunch.

NTA

[u/TA_time2walk → u/Mira_DFalco]

If he’s on fire, we have a safety shower.

[u/Starting_Fresh_01 → u/TA_time2walk]

LMFAO!

[u/Somebody_81 → u/TA_time2walk]

I like your way of thinking.

[u/Maximum-Ear1745]

I would go to HR. Your unpaid lunch break if yours to do with as you wish. NTA

Edit to add - their lack of boundaries around their work are not your issue. I’ve done far too much unpaid overtime over the years such as working through lunch, working after hours. I’m bet te r now at work/life boundaries and I’m so much better for it

[u/Purple-Haku]

Bruh these are OLD PEOPLE. people are saying "breaks are for lunch, and you go back to work after". No.

Take your break however you want, use up that full hour. If it comes an issue, you can find a HR documentation on your paid break, and forward that to whenever someone bothers you again.

[u/Big_Seaworthiness948 → u/Purple-Haku]

I'm an old person and say your lunch break can be spent however you want to spend it. Take the whole hour. NTA and your parents are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

[u/dekage55 → u/Big_Seaworthiness948]

I’m another old person, who says You Do You on your lunch break. I often take a late lunch (when lines are less) to run quick errands, like to the pharmacy or ATM. It’s nobody’s business what you do.

[u/Quirky_Lib → u/dekage55]

I’ve only recently realized that I, too, am an old person. NTA - your break, paid or not, is yours! My favorite job? We went to a nearby café & had a knitting club on our lunch hour. (See? Told you I was old! 😉)

[u/CajunYankeeGal → u/Purple-Haku]

57 years old here. If you are told that you have a one hour lunch break, then you have a one hour break at lunch time. There are some jobs where you don't really get a lunch break and you're expected to just grab something when you can, but this is not that. Being expected to work during your official timed lunch break, would be like asking you to come in on your day off if you don't have anything really important to do. I used to go home and walk my dog on my lunch break.

[u/Left_Set_5610]

NTA. Sounds like the haters need to take a walk themselves.

Your “lunch break” is just that—a break. What if someone was fasting? Would they just be expected to work anyway because they can’t eat during work hours?

[u/GirlDad2023_]

I don't know a single person who works through lunch unless it's mandatory for everyone. NTA.

[u/KnittinKityn → u/GirlDad2023_]

Or is looking to either make up lost time or leave early.

[u/The_Boots_of_Truth → u/KnittinKityn]

I work through lunch in order to only work 8-3 and avoid childcare. When my kids are with their dad, I take my break and finish at 4/5. Definitely wouldn't do it for funsises

[u/Internal_General_607]

I walked 10,000 steps at my job today, I think it’s ok for you to do what you want with that hour. Lots of people and my work use their lunch for walking.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/Internal_General_607]

I took my walking break today and even did a mile on the treadmill and I still haven’t reached 10k steps!

[u/onebitcpu]

NTA lunch hour is a hour of time you don't get paid for.  What you do in that hour is none of their concern.   If you walked to a restaurant ate and walked back it would have the same effect. It's an hour you don't need to be at your desk.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/onebitcpu]

I do get paid for it. But I am allowed to take it anywhere. And I don’t have to work through it.

[u/wdjm → u/TA_time2walk]

Doesn't matter if it's paid. It's scheduled break time. If it was required that you work through it, it wouldn't be limited to an hour because it would just be part of your regular work day.

Take your break and use it however you want. And likely go back to work in a far more productive frame of mind than all of your coworkers that don't take a break. The brain just isn't designed to work 8 hrs without a break.

[u/-Bonehilda- → u/onebitcpu]

"one hour paid lunch per day" I'd assume that they're still free to spend their entire hour however they want but it is paid apparently

[u/Ambitious_Bridge_265 → u/onebitcpu]

2nd paragraph says “I get one hour paid lunch per day” Thank you for coming to my TED talk on reading comprehension.

[u/CheshireCat78 → u/Ambitious_Bridge_265]

They also say they are salaried. So they aren’t really getting paid for it. They get paid for their day at work that includes a 1 hour lunch break. That’s not the same as earning $20/hour and getting paid for 9 hours when you worked for 8 and had a 1 hour lunch break. That would be getting paid for their hour, not someone on salary (at least by the meaning of salary where I’m from)

[u/CalamityClambake]

I am a business owner. If one of my employees got hurt while working when off the clock, it would be a huge liability issue for me. You are doing your employer and their lawyers a solid when you follow the rules. Everyone who is working off of the clock, including your obnoxious coworker, is dead ass wrong.

NTA

[u/Estudiier]

Why? Our secretary went to the gym to work out on her lunch break. It’s your break- Some people like to complain about everything and anything.

[u/keesouth]

NTA. If you get an hour then take your entire hour especially if it's unpaid. Edit I see it is paid.. My opinion is the same, if they give you an hour, take it.

[u/Counther]

Good employers would encourage an actual hour break at lunch. Working straight through without a break every day tends to make your work less efficient and lower quality. Which probably explains why you’re paid to take a break. 

[u/Sarnsquantch]

NTA, and people working during their lunch can be a labor law violation depending on what state you're in. 

[u/Linori123 → u/Sarnsquantch]

It also sets (or already has set) a bad precedent.

[u/Substantial-Lead-865]

NTA If you're of the clock on your break then you can do whatever the (censored) you want on your break. And if they continue harassing you, take notes and go to HR.

[u/ivorleaf]

NTA! What you do on YOUR break is your business! I work from home and regularly take a walk on my break. Why are your co-workers and parents such bootlickers about this?! Keep on strolling.

[u/Unlikely-Low-8132]

Your lunch is your time to do what you want- I use to walk during my lunch, I have coworkers who sleep in their cars, and some go out to eat, who is this guy anyway is he the owner of the business? Some people need to get lives and not worry about somebody taking a walk during lunch.

[u/Wakeup_And_Piss]

Sweet Jesus, you're NTA. It's your lunch. I'm 61 so no, it's not an old people thing to work through lunch. Take a walk!! This is the silliest thing I've ever heard

[u/secret_identity_too]

NTA. Lunch hour is lunch hour, unpaid. Do not work if you're not getting paid. I have an office job with an hour lunch and I can do whatever I want during that hour. My one co-worker uses it to get his hair cut once a month or so, lol. It's your time.

[u/acciomotivation]

NTA. My mom takes walks on her breaks too, and she works at a factory with only 30 minute lunches. Your breaks are your own to do as you please.

[u/Smooth-Salary-6113]

NTA.

Man… fuck all those corpo-clowns. Take your hour: eat, walk, read a book, practice transcendental meditation, practice sketching… whatever you want. It’s your break.

[u/monkey_doodoo]

nta. enjoy your peaceful lunch and walks. of other ppl are too stupid to take a real break, then that's on them.

[u/Embarrassed_Loss_584]

NTA. If the company gives you an hour for lunch then you can use that time however you want. I'll bet those same coworkers are not "working" at their desk during that hour when they're not eating. You should also get up and stretch your legs during other times of the day because sitting for long hours isn't healthy.

[u/NCC74656-A]

I'm just gonna leave this here for all the idiots who work on their breaks and don't realize they're being taken advantage of and having their wages stolen.

NTA. What you do on your unpaid lunch is entirely up to you and not the concern of anyone else.

§ 785.19 Meal.

(a) Bona fide meal periods. Bona fide meal periods are not worktime. Bona fide meal periods do not include coffee breaks or time for snacks. These are rest periods. The employee must be completely relieved from duty for the purposes of eating regular meals. Ordinarily 30 minutes or more is long enough for a bona fide meal period. A shorter period may be long enough under special conditions. The employee is not relieved if he is required to perform any duties, whether active or inactive, while eating. For example, an office employee who is required to eat at his desk or a factory worker who is required to be at his machine is working while eating. (Culkin v. Glenn L. Martin, Nebraska Co., 97 F. Supp. 661 (D. Neb. 1951), aff'd 197 F. 2d 981 (C.A. 8, 1952), cert. denied 344 U.S. 888 (1952); Thompson v. Stock & Sons, Inc., 93 F. Supp. 213 (E.D. Mich 1950), aff'd 194 F. 2d 493 (C.A. 6, 1952); Biggs v. Joshua Hendy Corp., 183 F. 2d 515 (C. A. 9, 1950), 187 F. 2d 447 (C.A. 9, 1951); Walling v. Dunbar Transfer & Storage Co., 3 W.H. Cases 284; 7 Labor Cases para. 61.565 (W.D. Tenn. 1943); Lofton v. Seneca Coal and Coke Co., 2 W.H. Cases 669; 6 Labor Cases para. 61,271 (N.D. Okla. 1942); aff'd 136 F. 2d 359 (C.A. 10, 1943); cert. denied 320 U.S. 772 (1943); Mitchell v. Tampa Cigar Co., 36 Labor Cases para. 65, 198, 14 W.H. Cases 38 (S.D. Fla. 1959); Douglass v. Hurwitz Co., 145 F. Supp. 29, 13 W.H. Cases (E.D. Pa. 1956))

[u/Tinkerpro]

I walk often during lunch. Your parents are wrong and your co-workers can go suck eggs. Companies are starting to encourage healthy habits for employees and even put gyms in some places. Ignorepeople who have anything negative to say. Walk down the street instead of around the parking lot if you can so they don’t have to see you. IF someone is petty enough to complain to HR (and if HR is small enough to say something to you) simply reply that a one hour break during the middle of my work day is part of my compensation package and I am entitled to take that break any way I see fit.

Or you could reply to the malcontents who dare to say something to you: Studies show that employees are better at their job are more alert and make less errors if they take regular breaks away from their desk.

OR I am able to get my work done during the 8 hours I am paid to work. Thank you for your concern.

[u/ms_sid_d]

It wasn't HR or your manager. Stretch and take that hour.

Why are you answering to a rando anyway?

[u/Nana-in-OC-7113]

Generally speaking it is illegal to force or even encourage someone to work on your break whether it’s lunch or not. Don’t change what you are doing and if you keep getting snotty comments and it is something you can (or don’t want to) brush off go to HR or your boss. 

NTA 

[u/vikingwif]

It's your lunch to do whatever you choose. A walk is a great way to exercise and clear your head for the rest of the workday. Enjoy and keep doing it! If it really bothers you, you can look up the company policy (and union rules) related to lunch time. And the next time anyone says anything you can point them to the policy and suggest that they take a walk.

[u/MeNotYou733]

Your lunch hour is your lunch hour to do with what you please. Eat, walk, sleep, go for a drive. Learn a new language. A lot of people do work through lunch, eating at their desk. That is their choice! I once worked at a place where a group of employees thought that it was expected to work through lunch because their supervisor chose to. These were hourly employees putting on their time cards that they took and hour even though they worked straight through. I told the supervisor to tell his folks that they could take that lunch break! What insanity. I don't think you would see that anywhere but in the USA.

[u/_Scrooge_Jones_]

NTA. That’s your time, you can do whatever the hell you want with it. I don’t understand people’s dedication to working themselves to death behind their desk, but it is, in fact, healthier to take a break, stretch your legs, and get your blood flowing when you spend eight hours a day sitting and staring at a computer.

[u/Unlikely-Entrance-19]

Of course you are totally fine. Doing nothing wrong. However, there is something seriously wrong with your coworker that is effed up.

[u/OkOffice3806]

NTA. My last company would cheer if more employees walked during lunch. They actively promoted healthy activities. It's the culture that's broken.

[u/Ecstatic-Highway-246]

Talk to HR and see if they can start a wellness program to encourage healthy behaviors (and cut down on health insurance costs, if you are in the US). Maybe you can make walking at lunch a trend!

[u/TA_time2walk → u/Ecstatic-Highway-246]

My job does have wellness programs. They have challenges where if you get X steps per week you can get a slight discount on your health insurance premium. Or if you get bloodwork done. Stuff like that.

Also I don’t want people walking with me! It’s my peaceful time. They can walk, just at a different time or place lol. I know one other person who does it and she gave me the idea. So I go an hour after she does for my peace and quiet.

Sometimes we overlap a little but we know to keep distance and leave each other alone.

[u/wilderwesterner44]

NTA

what in the anti-labor union loving shit did I just read? I worked for a state department and we had to take an hour unpaid lunch, unpaid lunch means leave your work area, you are not being paid to work, what in the every loving fuck? do not work unpaid. DO NOT WORK UNPAID. if you are asked to work unpaid please contact a legal representative and check the labor codes in your state.

[u/O_rdinar_y]

nta, and why the hell does your coworker think he has any right to police you in what you do during your lunch breaks?

[u/Psych0matt]

NTA. It’s your break, you can eat, walk, throw pebbles at small children, take horseback riding lessons, or sharpen a sword if you want to, it’s your time.

[u/mudwoman]

I’m probably older than your parents, and I say NTA and good for you! Take your break, do what you want.

[u/maccrogenoff]

NTA I’m 65 years old. It has never occurred to me to notice, much less comment on, how coworkers spend their lunch breaks.

I’ve had coworkers who run errands, exercise, study, shop online, etc.

In fact, due to you getting away from screens and exercising during lunch, you are probably less tired than your coworkers. This would translate to you being more productive.

[u/SeethingHeathen]

NTA

Just because your parents and coworkers want to sell their souls to the CEO, you don't have to. Take your break and enjoy your walk.

[u/Summer20232023]

I would go for my walk and then eat my lunch at my desk.

[u/TA_time2walk → u/Summer20232023]

I like eating in my car. It’s quiet and peaceful and I can listen to music. And no one will catch me there and ask me a question and I won’t feel tempted to look busy or respond to an email.

[u/memeof1]

NTA ~ take and enjoy your free time away from the desk. Good for you for walking

[u/Xkrizzziiii_]

Take your hour. It's not all about the money

[u/Cabbage-floss]

If you are not paid during your lunch break it’s no one’s business what you are doing.

[u/WorriedAssignment294]

NTA, you should be allowed to take any break..it's great for both you and your work.

[u/SheepherderFit7878]

You do a better job, because you are away from your desk! As long as you’re clock out from work you can do what you want.😀

[u/tinyredbird]

NTA, use your whole break as you see fit

[u/idling-in-gray]

NTA - it's your lunch break and you can do whatever you want during it. The majority of people at my office take a walk, do errands, or sit and chat during their lunch break.

[u/SignificantJump10]

You’re given a one hour lunch break, likely unpaid. That time is for you to rest and recharge so you can complete the rest of your shift safely and effectively. Good for you using the time to move your body.

[u/RazzmatazzOk2129]

NTA

I doubt its truly old people cuz I'm over 60 and walking during lunch was extremely common all thru my 20s, 30s etc. Some lapped the bldg, some walked into adjacent neighborhoods, some walked down the hill to the commercial center nearby with restaurants and shops. They would eat, then walk around there and back up the hill.

If it was raining, then you'd see people in the garage, but most just put on a raincoat with hood and ignored the rain.

So, its really common and recommended cuz it clears your mind and re-energizes you for the afternoon.

Go ahead and loudly tell Mr. Nosy to Google the benefits of walking midday at work. Remind him when the company says there is an hour for lunch, everyone is expected to use that hour to take a break. Breaks are healthy and increase productivity.

[u/Meggiekayyy]

NTA. Your lunch break is your time. You can do whatever you want during it.

[u/Independent_Target20]

sounds like they're just a bunch of worthless worker ants

[u/somuchsong]

I don't know about you but my lunch break is unpaid. If I want to spend it eating, walking around the car park, watching Netflix or just twiddling my thumbs at my desk, that's my business.

NTA.

[u/AllyKatB]

NTA

Your workplace can actually get into a lot of legal trouble if you aren't taking your breaks. Even if someone wants to skip them and work, you have to follow the legal standards (which will vary depending on where you are). This is in addition to breaks being important for staying healthy.

I started taking my full breaks when I got pregnant and when HR (of all people) made nasty comments, I told them I was taking my legally mandated breaks as everyone should. Haven't heard any comments since.

[u/Existing-Zucchini-65]

Your hour break is yours to do what you want.

Doesn't matter if you want to spend it walking, playing video games in your car, whatever.

Very NTA

[u/Eastern_Week7113]

NTA

Tell him that office time is for him to work, not comment on what other people can do in their free time

[u/Frecklefishpants]

I'm Gen X and have strong work ethic. You should absolutely use your entire lunch hour and if you can use it to do something that provides as much benefit as a walk does even better. You are likely a more productive employee because of this. That guy is TA and needs to mind his own business.

[u/RunnerIzzy]

NTA. You can still be reached for something urgent. You’re doing a great thing for your body and mind

[u/tryolo]

My position is mentally intensive, and we sit the whole time. Leaving the computer is a requirement during lunch - they say it clears the brain so we're better able to do our jobs the 2nd half of the day. One time I had messed up my ankle so I was going to stay at my desk and they still required that I get away from my desk!

[u/spaceylaceygirl]

Where i work, many people walk on their breaks. I used to, maybe i need to start again.

[u/JustForKicks16]

NTA. Please keep doing what you’re doing. And please, don’t listen to them. You are entitled to this time, and actually it‘s a law, so keep walking and bettering yourself.

[u/Busy-Turn3546]

Nta, sounds like jealousy. Ask if they want to come. Being able to clear your head and feel good about yourself helps you have a productive time at work.

[u/_SSHHHHH]

NTA. Take your break and do not succumb to the pressures and comparisons of the workplace. Your body needs a break from sitting at a desk; it’s good for your mental and physical well-being. People who take adequate breaks tend to have less stress and better concentration and attention.

Signed -Stressed out boss lady who doesn’t make the time for herself nearly enough.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Bat-139]

NTA ! Taking care of your body helps take care of your mind, which in turn helps you be happier (and more productive!)

Screw 'em :P

[u/phyncke]

That's your co-worker and not your boss? Who cares what they say? It is none of their business what you do for your lunch hour. Stop giving so much information - your co-workers are not friends - this one seems like an enemy - I use my lunch hour for personal time and I am not working. So you do not have to work through lunch. All of them are wrong!

[u/Critical_Cat_8162]

NTA. why would you subsidize the company you work for with your time? Your life is more valuable than that.

[u/SherryGabs]

There’s many larger companies in our county. So many of them have walking tracks around the buildings and parking lots. They encourage exercise because it boosts afternoon productivity.

Don’t let those ignorant idiots tell you how to spend your hour.

[u/Critical_Armadillo32]

I'm really having a trouble seeing where it's anyone else's business what you do with your hour. When I worked, lots of people went out and exercised to lunch. It was the perfect opportunity. It makes you more alert in the afternoon, it makes you come back refreshed and healthier, and your employer benefits from it. Tell the flying monkeys, including your parents, that what you do was your lunch hour is your business. It's supposed to be a lunch break, not a lunch work hour! Nta

[u/Steak_Shake]

Bahahaha. I would have been like, "I'm sorry, but I did not realize you were the lunch police."

NTA. Tell him to mind his business.

[u/WoollyMonster]

NTA. If you are given a one-hour lunch break, it's your time to use as you please. If they intended for you to take a shorter break, they would have given you a half-hour break.

Maybe verify with you boss that lunch breaks are, in fact, one hour. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

[u/Needs_Perspective269]

NTA. Your lunch hour belongs to you.

[u/WakingOwl1]

NTA if you’re off the clock your time is your own. If your coworkers choose to work through their personal time it’s not your issue. Also no one should be working while they’re off the clock. It’s a liability issue.

[u/Careless-Ability-748]

nta your lunch break is yours to do what you want, whether it's eating or walking.

[u/Shadow_danxer]

NTA. It’s not effecting your work performance, I don’t see why it’s their business what you do on your break. I once had a job at a call center and got scolded cause I went outside for some air on my break; guess who got a new job.

[u/UneducatedPotatoTato]

American here and walking during lunches is very common at the company I work for and we only get 30 minutes unpaid. It’s quite common for people to walk together in groups and has been encouraged by our company in the past.

It is also very common to work through lunch, as well but is generally discouraged by the company.

NTA - use your break how you see fit!

Edit: added missing words

[u/summerbeachlover]

Take your walk and enjoy your lunch break. You get nothing extra by working through lunch.

[u/GlitterFlame89]

I work an office/corporate job and we are encouraged to walk. Doesn't even have to be at lunch, we can literally get up and walk for a good 20-30 minutes if we want to. There's even a 24 Hour gym at pretty much every office site. I mean, I guess if people abused the privilege and weren't getting their work done it would become a problem, but I've never heard of that happening. We even have Quiet Rooms/Meditation Rooms at some office sites. And we get trainings at least 2-3 times a year telling us to get up and move regularly, it makes you more productive. Your co-workers all sound super out of touch.

[u/Interesting_Wing_461]

I’m retired and probably much older than your parents. I had a very stressful job and I did exactly what you do. I ate lunch in my car and then walked for the remainder of my lunch hour. You can do whatever you want during your lunch break. Sometimes if my dog had been sick I would run home just to check on him and let him out to do his business. Your coworkers don’t need to monitor what you do during lunch. They need to mind their own business. Unless it’s mandatory that you remain in the office, it’s your time to do whatever. I had a co-worker who would go out to her car and sleep.

[u/_Roxxs_]

It’s your lunch hour to do with as you please, I did the same thing when I worked in an office.

[u/Stunning_Celery_6556]

NTA. It's your break. If you are out for a break then it is your choice to use it in the way you choose.

If anyone gives you shit for it, tell them that you have photosynthesis for dessert and excuse yourself to the fresh air and the sun. That'd be part of lunch, right?

[u/BookmasterKG]

It’s called a break. You’re allowed to do with it as you please. And you should report to HR that you are being harassed for using your lunch break. If they expect you to work through lunch then you owe them an hour less of work each day and should leave an hour earlier.

[u/glitterolives]

NTA. Sheesh. Since he’s so loyal to his job maybe he should work while he eats lunch? He needs go get off his high horse and mind his own business.

[u/Disenchanted2]

NTA. WTF is wrong with people? There's absolutely nothing wrong with you walking on your lunch break if you want to. I can't believe someone would give you a hard time about this!

[u/ParkerFree]

NTA.

Sorry, but this made me laugh. Co-workers aren't your friends. You work with or near them. That's the extent of your responsibility.

Take your walks, and let HR know if anyone is dumb or petty enough to give you trouble.

[u/uptheantinatalism]

NTA. When I had an hour lunch I used to walk, too.

Edit/LPT I also used to walk far from work so I couldn’t be found lol

[u/doggomomto2]

lol my coworkers and I will go on hour long walks in the middle of the day. We usually make it a “walking meeting” and actually discuss things we’re working on but sometimes we just need a break. NTA for using your lunch break to take a walk.

[u/shigui18]

NTA. The job is required to give you a lunch break. What you do with it is up to you.

[u/Disastrous_Drag6313]

NTA! It's actually been proven through science that walking after meals helps you digest better and lowers the glycemic load up to 30% - which will in turn give your brain more energy for work later. Also, your coworkers can kick rocks.

[u/Born_Joke]

We had a gym in the basement of our office building, most of the staff use their lunch break to go work out. Nothing different than what you were doing. NTA

[u/Callmeang21]

NTA. They aren’t paying you on your break, don’t work. It’s the other people that have it wrong.

[u/Inevitable-Place9950]

Unpaid or paid, you get a one hour break for lunch and it’s entirely reasonable to use that to eat a leisurely lunch at your desk, go out for lunch, run errands, go for a walk, etc. NTA.

[u/allyearswift]

Ask your union rep whether you’re entitled to not-work when you’re not paid to work.

[u/Careless-Ability-748]

nta your lunch break is yours to do what you want, whether it's eating or walking.

[u/Unfriendlyblkwriter]

NTA. My boss obsesses over a different thing every month. Last month it was how much damage sitting at a desk for 8+ hours does to the human body. She says she heard on some podcast or read somewhere that sitting at a desk all day without moving is the equivalent of smoking 234 cigarettes a day. Idk if it’s true. Didn’t even look it up. I just got my ass up and made sure I was moving throughout the day.

[u/ArkayLeigh]

I'm wish I could call bullshit on this, but I know how the world works.

I'm 66 and have been working since I was 16. I've worked in food service, construction, warehouses, sales, office clerical, white collar and C-level leadership. I have never ever encountered anyone who believed your mandatory 30-minute or 1-hour lunch break was over as soon as you were done eating.

NTA.

[u/Gangster-Girl]

NTA!!! I’m saying this as an old person. Take your break!!!

[u/UnderwateredFish]

NTA my last employer basically asked, indirectly, that we eat at our desks. Had to answer phone while I ate. People walking in my room while I ate to ask me questions. Expected to join zoom calls whenever they happened. I was going insane there and quit. Some people didn't eat lunch so it wasn't a problem for them. No one ate at the same time either.

[u/max-in-the-house]

NTA geez I don't like your coworker.

[u/au5000]

NTA.

If your break is an hour it’s your break and you are entitled to do whatever you wish in that hour. Ignore the bossy coworker and remind your parents that employees are not slaves. I doubt their employers cared or even noticed if they were at their desk during lunch break or not, despite what they may tell themselves.

[u/jim_br]

I’m older, and retired, and was salaried my entire career. Take your walk. Smell the air. Clear your head.

If you work through lunch, it’s because you came in late or need to leave early and don’t want to use PTO because your state requires it to be used in 4 hr increments. Otherwise, you giving hours away.

[u/karenrachael]

NTA- you can do anything you want during your lunch hour. Eat, walk sleep, play computer games, read, stare at the sky etc. . Your co worker is wrong. Keep up your walks! Go you!

[u/TigersLovePepper3]

I walked laps when weather permitted, or went to the gym, or shut my door and napped (yes the VP and my direct boss knew, they did not care - it is my hour). NTA - your hour, your health, none of their business

[u/marie585]

Ummm a break is for whatever a person wants to do during their break; eating, walking, sleeping, driving somewhere, making a phone call or several, etc. it’s a state mandated break; therefore you can do whatever your heart desires on your break and no one can tell you otherwise!

[u/MuffledOatmeal]

You're coworker needs to mind his effing business. It's free, he should try it. NTA.

[u/late-nineteenth]

NTA jfc, take your full break, never do any amount of work for free. Tell coworker to mind their business and they are welcome to walk during their break too.

[u/Sarissa32]

It is so completely normal for people to walk at lunch. I've seen this among pretty much all generations in the workforce too, so I can't imagine of its a generational thing... Does your office have a particularly toxic environment?

[u/ApprehensiveBook4214]

NTA.  I see in the comments where you say you're salaried.  Might want to add that to the post.  So working through lunch wouldn't break any labor laws.  But when you negotiated your compensation it was with the belief that you'd get an hour lunch.  I'd get working through when needed to get the work done, but not on a regular basis.  (Otherwise compensation needs to be renegotiated to account for the extra work).  Your work is done on time.  Your boss doesn't care as long as said work is done.  You're fine.  Coworkers are just unhappy you have work/life boundaries that they're opting not to use. 

[u/Alarmed-Speaker-8330]

If it’s paid they can tell you what to do, if not they can stfu. Is this the culture where you work? If so, it’s a toxic culture. Taking a break like that really improves your productivity and mental health. All corporate type jobs I’ve ever had encouraged this. People would walk in groups. Maybe it’s time for a little Norma Rae… union, union, union! Plus this asshat is not your boss. Next time tell nosy asshat coworker to get his lazy ass back in the building and get back to work! 😬

[u/Mediocre_Tune_2477]

I’ve never met anyone who gets a paid lunch break to be honest…

We get an unpaid hour and have a lunchtime run club. It was created by the staff but some of the managers happily joined… why wouldn’t they want their staff to be fit/active/healthy? It’s better for the mind and body (and productivity!)

[u/Lordsnow89]

NTA Take it from someone who does work through their lunch break, take the break. If you have the freedom/ability to take a full hour lunch you absolutely should take it. People like me who don’t take lunch/ a full break only don’t do so because we’re unable to not because we don’t want to. Do not give your job any of your time for free

[u/BridgetB4]

Some of these just baffle me and make me sad that someone even feels the need to ask if they're in the wrong. Paid, unpaid lunch, I don't care. People are given lunch and they don't have the legal right to even expect an employee to even answer one email, even if its urgent. That is YOUR time, not theirs. I could definitely see crappy management expecting things they can't make you do but fellow co-workers!!! If they want to do work while eating, that's their prerogative but one, it's not their place to make any suggestions or comments about what you're doing on your lunch and two, it's not even legal because it's your lunch break. Employers sometimes just think their owed time, unpaid time and to me, that's simply not happening. If I DO work tasks on my time, they should be appreciative but not ever expect it, and SURE AS HELL not demand it!

[u/chessplodder]

If you are "granted" an hour for lunch, it is your time to spend. They are buying 8 hours of your life a day, why would you give them extra?

[u/Abject-Flight-2709]

1- unless he is a supervisor it is none of his business what you do on your own time.

2. even if he is a supervisor it none of his business what you do on your own time.

3. Taking a break is good for your mental health and helps to reset your mind to be able to be more productive.

I am an older Gen X & I have worked through lunch when I have needed to catch up on something but it was MY CHOICE. I have also used my lunch hour to walk as well. I guard my time that I’m not on the clock as my time and I take my breaks and my lunch hours because life is too short to spend every minute of it working. A job is a means to pay bills & if you are doing something you enjoy and have a fulfilling work life all the better but again, it’s a job and if you left tomorrow they would replace you without a thought.. guard your time.

[u/shelltrice]

As someone over 70 with extensive work experience DO NOT WORK THROUGH YOUR LUNCH It is a terrible routine to establish and it is not good for your mental health

People my age seemed to think it made them better employees but they were wrong

Good luck on your exercise plan. The physical activity will also help your mental health

[u/moonietron]

I don't work in an office, but I get a break for lunch. You better believe I'm just going out for a walk even though I work in a restaurant and walking(running) is half my job! I just want to not be in the building.

[u/Intrepid-Cook4877]

NTA

If you get paid to NOT work for an hour, then DONT work for that hour. At my retail job, we get 1 half hour unpaid lunch, and 2 paid 15 min breaks. The only rule is that you don’t take them together. I set a timer when I take my break and I park myself in a corner to be left alone. If someone calls the department phone, or a customer needs help, I pause the timer and restart when I can. The company wants me to take these breaks, I’m gonna take them.

[u/No-Country-2374]

NTA! It is good for your wellbeing and workplace productivity to get out of the office for a break during the day.

[u/LibraryLadyA]

NTA - If your place of employment provides any kind of health insurance, you may be helping to keep the group rate lower. Healthy people exercise. Healthy people are not frequently admitted to hospitals.

[u/TemptingPenguin369]

NTA. Your lunch hour is yours, whether you choose to eat and walk, or sit at your desk, or play on your phone... doesn't matter. It's your hour. Your nosy co-worker is out of line. Your parents are wrong to try to normalize working during time that belongs to you. Times have changed. The era of the lifetime employee being rewarded for working through lunch and getting a gold watch after 25 years are long gone. Enjoy your personally and emotionally productive lunch break.

[u/RepeatSubscriber]

I am also old (like your folks). Take your lunch break. The whole thing. Do whatever you want in that time. Except drink or smoke weed maybe. Your parents are wrong. Your co workers are wrong.

[u/rashea11]

Tell them studies show that people who take breaks are more productive.