95% of Indian Employees Say Breaks Improve Productivity, Yet Fewer Are Taking Them: Compass Group India Study
As organisations focus on productivity, performance and employee experience, new research from Compass Group India suggests one of the most effective enablers of workplace performance may be increasingly overlooked: the workday break. According to Compass Group India’s latest Global Eating at Work (GEAW) study, 95% of Indian employees report feeling more productive after taking a break, yet 63% believe breaks remain undervalued within their organisation. The findings point to a growing disconnect between what employees know supports performance and what workplace cultures actively enable. The study indicates that while awareness around wellbeing is increasing, opportunities to pause, recharge and disconnect during the workday are becoming less common. Employees taking regular breaks three to five times a week have declined from 46% in 2023 to 38% in 2025, while nearly a quarter of employees admit they rarely take a meaningful break during the day. The findings come at a time when organisations across India are reassessing productivity, workforce engagement and employee wellbeing. While technology and flexible work models continue to reshape how work gets done, employees increasingly view breaks, nutrition, movement and social connection as critical contributors to performance.
Compass Group India’s research found that 76% of employees prefer multiple shorter breaks over a single long break, reflecting the rise of more dynamic, fast-paced working patterns. However, 45% say they only take breaks when circumstances allow, suggesting that workload pressures continue to influence everyday wellbeing behaviours. The research also highlights an important public health and workplace risk. Nearly one in four employees continues to eat lunch at their desk, while longer breaks are becoming increasingly rare. The trend raises broader questions about employee recovery, workplace stress and burnout prevention in modern organisations.
Rahul Shinde, Managing Director, Compass Group India, said: “The future of workplace performance is closely linked to everyday employee experiences. Our research shows that people clearly understand the value of taking breaks, eating well and having opportunities to connect during the workday, yet many struggle to prioritise them amid growing workloads. For employers, this is no longer simply a wellbeing conversation. It is increasingly a productivity, engagement and talent-retention imperative. Organisations that design workplaces around human performance, not just operational efficiency, will be better positioned to build resilient and high-performing teams.” Manika Awasthi, Chief People and Safety Officer, Compass Group India, added: “Employee experience is shaped by the small choices people make every day. Whether employees feel comfortable taking a break, stepping away for lunch, moving during the day or connecting with colleagues has a direct impact on engagement and wellbeing. “The organisations that will lead the future of work are those that make healthy behaviours a natural part of how work gets done, creating workplaces where people can thrive and perform at their best.”
As India navigates changing workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns and increasing focus on employee wellbeing, the findings suggest that productivity and wellbeing are becoming increasingly interconnected. For employers, supporting healthier habits through workplace culture, food, spaces and experiences may represent one of the most accessible opportunities to improve workforce performance, engagement and long-term organisational resilience.
