Are you the type of worker that won't do ANYTHING work related on your breaks?

[Krynj]

I've worked with a few people over the years that flat out won't do ANYTHING work related while on break, or lunch. Won't let you ask them a question, forward an e-mail, nothing.

If somebody comes to me with something

I tend to take lunches and breaks at my desk while browsing the web, so occasionally a coworker will come to me with something. If it's something that can be handled by another coworker, then I'll say I'm on break. But if there's an issue that only myself specifically can handle, I'll usually take note of how much time I had left on my break, take care of issue, and then finish off the rest of my break after that.

 

[Malak]

When I take a break it is miles away from the office. I might respond to a text message but that is it.

 

[Connoisseur]

I've worked with a few people over the years that flat out won't do ANYTHING work related while on break, or lunch. Won't let you ask them a question, forward an e-mail, nothing.

If somebody comes to me with something

I tend to take lunches and breaks at my desk while browsing the web, so occasionally a coworker will come to me with something. If it's something that can be handled by another coworker, then I'll say I'm on break. But if there's an issue that only myself specifically can handle, I'll usually take note of how much time I had left on my break, take care of issue, and then finish off the rest of my break after that.

I can say that, pretty much universally, people who do that have a tendency to not move up in the world career-wise. I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing as some people don't care about moving up; but in a lot of industries (especially any type of consulting) you have to be flexible with your time and that includes lunch breaks. People who drop off the map during breaks tend to apply that rule during other instances as well; these are the same people who'll leave at 5 on the dot regardless of what work is left. Just my experience.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I used to work during break time and then I found myself working during most of my breaks.

My lunch is my time.

 

[D1gger]

What are these breaks you speak of?

As a business owner, I am on call 24/7/365. I have even had to go to work on Christmas day to deal with issues.

 

[bignateyk]

I don't really take breaks. I usually continue to do my work while I eat lunch.

 

[Beev]

If I'm not physically in the office then this place doesn't exist to me.

If I'm eating lunch at my desk then I would prefer to not have to do anything work related, but if someone stopped by and needed something I would do it anyway.

 

[bignateyk]

I used to work during break time and then I found myself working during most of my breaks.

My lunch is my time.

And whose time is it while you surf ATOT?

 

[swanysto]

I don't know many jobs that have breaks outside of lunch that are not sales gigs or retail jobs. Both of which I would never work. I work 8-5 everyday with an hour lunch, and I don't do anything but relax and eat on my lunch break, but the other 8 hours is pure business.

 

[surfsatwerk]

And whose time is it while you surf ATOT?

I'm home sick, so it's my time.

 

[krunchykrome]

I work through lunch at my desk. Sometimes I'll read the news for a few minutes while I eat. The only time I ever take a real lunch break is when we go out for lunch.

There are some people I work with who make it a priority to take a full hour lunch break everyday; they'll go into a conference room and sit in there until the last minute of their hour.

 

[Krynj]

I can say that, pretty much universally, people who do that have a tendency to not move up in the world career-wise. I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing as some people don't care about moving up; but in a lot of industries (especially any type of consulting) you have to be flexible with your time and that includes lunch breaks. People who drop off the map during breaks tend to apply that rule during other instances as well; these are the same people who'll leave at 5 on the dot regardless of what work is left. Just my experience.

Like I said, if it's something only I can deal with, I'm more than happy to take care of it. Plus, some of the guys I work with are so eager to pass their work off onto other people -- I try to shut it down when I see when they're doing it to me. Not all of them are like that, just one or two. Those are the ones I'm least likely to help when they ask.

 

[rivan]

I make it a point to be available, with the expectation that if it's not truly important, my coworkers wouldn't ask in the first place. I work (mostly) with respectful adults who, if they ask in the first place, do so in an apologetic manner.

 

[Krynj]

I make it a point to be available, with the expectation that if it's not truly important, my coworkers wouldn't ask in the first place. I work (mostly) with respectful adults who, if they ask in the first place, do so in an apologetic manner.

I'm the same way. If I have to go to somebody else for something, and they appear to just be taking it easy, I always ask if they're on break first.

 

[Numenorean]

What is a "break"???

 

[lothar]

I'm home sick, so it's my time.

You've been home sick since March 2008?

 

[BTA]

Being a salary employee and working from home most days, I don't really get official breaks. I do force myself to get up from my desk for lunch and randomly throughout the day, because otherwise I'd work myself to death.

IMO it's a balance between work and life, and there's nothing wrong with taking your break and lunch time as your own, to not worry about work related stuff.

 

[surfsatwerk]

You've been home sick since March 2008?

I'm hot blooded check it and see, I've got a fever of 100 degrees.

 

[Juddog]

Being a salaried worker, I usually just skip my breaks and work through, so that I can go home after a mere 9 1/2 to 10 hours of work instead of 11 assuming I took a full lunch break. I usually just eat at my desk while working, and half the time people come over and talk to me about work related items halfway through my lunch. If I'm feeling aggravated that day, I'll drive somewhere for lunch in order so that nobody bothers me.

 

[FallenHero]

Not really on breaks...but on weekends and vacation, good luck getting a hold of me.

 

[skyking]

I find the best practice is to leave if you don't want to be bothered.

 

[dfuze]

I often help out others while on break, if it's something that's involved then I just tack on some time at what would be the end of the break. Without having rigid times for breaks I can do that.

 

[JimmiG]

I don't take breaks. I might get up to get a coffee or go to the bathroom but when I'm back at the desk, I'm working. Same with the lunch break. it takes 20 minutes to eat. You don't need a full hour.

I can leave work a little earlier instead, which is nice.

Yeah and on weekends and vacations, I don't read emails or answer the phone. Doesn't matter if the server room is on fire...

 

[dank69]

I don't know many jobs that have breaks outside of lunch that are not sales gigs or retail jobs. Both of which I would never work. I work 8-5 everyday with an hour lunch, and I don't do anything but relax and eat on my lunch break, but the other 8 hours is pure 4chan.

D:

 

[Avalon]

If someone comes to me with something pressing, I'll stop my break/lunch and go do it. If it's just menial, I'll tell them to wait. I don't mind discussing work related stuff while on break, though.