In 2023, ezCater conducted a study that surveyed 500 full-time onsite construction workers in the U.S., focusing on their eating habits during lunch, according to Occupational Health & Safety magazine.
Eighty-seven percent of workers said they felt hungry during the workday. Fifty-seven percent said they typically start their days with only coffee or an energy drink, and 28% said they rarely or never eat breakfast before work. Ninety percent of workers admit what they eat at work is not very healthy, with 57% wishing their meals during work were healthier.
The biggest reasons workers cited for not eating lunch were cost, lack of time and limited access to food options. Fifty-one percent of respondents said they are concerned about making mistakes because of hunger, with top concerns being rushing a project, missing instructions, performing tasks out of order and skipping safety measures.
As a result of their hunger, 44% of workers said they felt sleepy or low energy at work; 39% said they felt less focused; and 35% said they felt unmotivated.
Sixty-five percent of respondents said having free meals provided by their employers would motivate them to work harder. Seventy-five percent said they would continue working for a company if it provided free meals, and 77% said it would make them feel more appreciated.
