The Data Is In: Snack Breaks Boost Productivity at Work

What if you could increase your employees’ productivity at work by 33% — just by asking them to work less? That sounds counterintuitive, but it’s exactly what a Slack survey of 10,000 workers found in December 2023. 

Yes, Less Work = More Productivity

The surveyors discovered several surprising statistics. 

• People who take breaks during the workday to have a snack, take a walk, play a game, or chat with their coworkers are 13% more productive than those who don’t
• Employees who leave work on time are 20% more productive than those who stay late

As crazy as it seems, spending fewer hours at your desk can improve your productivity at work — and that’s not the only perk of taking time to grab a snack. 

Extra Benefits of Taking a Break

In addition to the productivity boost, employees who step away from their desks regularly report 62% better work-life balance, 43% greater ability to manage stress, and 43% more overall satisfaction than their peers. 

Unfortunately, half of all desk workers “rarely or never” take the breaks they need to stay happy, relaxed, and productive, according to the Slack survey. 

If you’ve noticed your team sticking to their computers like Velcro, here are two problems that could be causing them to skip their breaks — and ways to solve them.

2 Reasons Workers Skip Breaks 

Reason #1: Their Workloads are Too Heavy 

According to a 2023 study by the University of Waterloo, employees with heavy workloads may be more resistant to taking breaks than their peers — even though they need those breaks more. 

Imagine you’re a software developer. You have a task list a mile long that never stops growing, and your work chat is pinging like crazy with messages from coworkers who need their problems solved now. Would you feel like you could comfortably take a break? 

Of course not! Instead of recharging with an apple and some almonds in the break room, you’d stick to your desk, keep your head down, and power through. 

Unfortunately, this strategy doesn’t work. The University of Waterloo found that despite employees’ best efforts, heavy workloads lead to “high levels of stress, fatigue, and poor performance.” 

Reason #2: They’re Following Company Culture 

Employees follow the examples set by their managers. So, if management at your company models a nose-to-the-grindstone, always-available company culture, that mindset could trickle down. According to the University of Waterloo, workers “may resist taking breaks if they feel supervisors discourage breaks in their workplace.” 

Luckily, there are easy ways to reverse this trend. Try the tactics below to help your employees feel more relaxed, boost employee happiness, and increase productivity at work. 

How to Encourage More Breaks and Productivity at Work

If heavy workloads are your team’s issue, try:

• Teaching them workload management strategies that will allow them to comfortably take breaks and reap their many benefits
• Evaluating which tasks could be automated and/or outsourced
• Asking yourself whether it’s time to hire more help

If your company culture could use a refresh, consider:

• Implementing a new company policy encouraging employees to take regular breaks 
• Turning breaks into team events: Schedule 10-minute snack breaks in the kitchen, designate “shake it out” times for laps around the office, or plan walking meetings
• Hosting a break-focused wellness challenge and rewarding employees who take breaks every day for a month
• Asking managers to set an example for their teams by taking regular breaks and leaving work on time
• Encouraging snack breaks by stocking your break room with unique and delicious treats that will entice your team away from their desks

Snacks are a fantastic tool for encouraging much-needed breaks, and the best healthy office snacks — like farm-fresh fruit, nuts, and clean-ingredient protein bars — can even create an extra boost in productivity at work. 

Ultimately, creating a break-friendly, snack-loving culture is a win-win for your company and your employees.