As organisations focus on productivity and employee experience, Compass Group India’s latest Global Eating at Work (GEAW) study highlights the importance of workday breaks, nutrition and workplace wellbeing.
The study found that 95% of Indian employees feel more productive after taking a break, while 63% believe breaks are undervalued at work. The share of employees taking regular breaks three to five times a week declined from 46% in 2023 to 38% in 2025.
The findings also show that 76% prefer multiple short breaks, while nearly one in four employees continues to eat lunch at their desk. Meanwhile, 90% want healthier workplace food choices, and 39% report getting fewer than six hours of sleep each night.
Workplace dining is also gaining importance, with 51% of Indian employees having access to on-site dining facilities and 93% sharing meals with colleagues at least a few times each month.
Rahul Shinde, Managing Director, Compass Group India, said, “For employers, this is no longer simply a wellbeing conversation. It is increasingly a productivity, engagement and talent-retention imperative.”
Manika Awasthi, Chief People and Safety Officer, Compass Group India, added, “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.”
The findings underline the growing role of workplace culture, food and spaces in building healthier, more productive teams.
