A consultant is working tirelessly from home, deep in a client presentation, when their stomach growls in protest. The lunch hour has come and gone, but with back-to-back meetings and emails piling up, they grab a quick snack and power through. By mid-afternoon, their energy dips, and focus wavers.

This is the reality for many professionals in Singapore’s fast-paced work environment – where flexibility is valued but mealtime often takes a back seat.

A new report by Deliveroo for Work (DfW), the corporate arm of Deliveroo, highlights the changing needs of Singapore’s workforce, particularly regarding meal flexibility amid the increasing popularity of flexible work arrangements or FWAs.

Rethinking lunch breaks

Despite widespread agreement on the importance of eating well during the workday, many employees struggle to carve out a proper lunch break. While 82% of workers acknowledge that eating properly boosts productivity, fewer than a third (32%) regularly take their full lunch hour. The constraints of rigid schedules and high workloads mean that many either eat hastily at their desks or skip lunch altogether.

This trend is even more pronounced among those on FWAs. Only 32% of white-collar employees take a full lunch break, with 14% spending less than 30 minutes on their meals. Meanwhile, 32% of blue-collar workers make full use of their breaks when working remotely, compared to 45% when on-site.

Interestingly, a stark disconnect exists between employer perceptions and employee realities. While 96% of employers believe their staff take full lunch breaks, the reality is quite different – many employees cut their breaks short, opting for quick meals at their desks. Heavy workloads (46%) and lack of time (36%) are the primary reasons for this trend.

Amid this shift, the demand for convenient and company-sponsored meal solutions is growing. With 81% of employees valuing the flexibility to decide how and when they eat, businesses are increasingly looking at solutions like flexible meal allowances.

These allow staff to order meals for pickup or delivery, eliminating the need to queue or rush through breaks. Companies can therefore enable their workforce to stay energised and engaged without compromising on productivity.

Flexible meal allowances are proving to be an effective strategy for businesses adapting to evolving work patterns.

With 42% of employees preferring meal allowances on a flexible-to-order basis and 85% agreeing that employer-supported meal options enhance wellbeing – especially in-office – companies that embrace these changes can create a more supportive work environment.

Shared meals: Key driver of productivity

But lunch breaks aren’t just about sustenance – they also play a crucial role in workplace culture and team cohesion. Despite this, 52% of employees eat at their desks, missing opportunities to socialise and recharge.

The survey suggests a strong link between team lunches and productivity, with 71% of employees agreeing that shared meals and company-sponsored lunches improve collaboration and wellbeing.

When given the choice, 55% prefer eating with colleagues, a figure that jumps to 79% when meals are company-sponsored. This reinforces the role of shared meals in fostering stronger workplace relationships.

Employers are taking note of this shift. Half of the surveyed companies are open to organising regular team lunches, 87% are considering meal sponsorships for remote workers, and 97% support meal benefits for in-office teams.

“Our findings show that team lunches and sponsored meals go beyond just a shared meal. They foster a greater sense of collaboration, flexibility and overall workplace productivity,” said Jason Parke, general manager of Deliveroo Singapore.

Flexible meal options as a game changer

With new models such as FWAs and hybrid schedules reshaping life at work, businesses are thus seeing the value of shared meals.

Flexible meal options for distributed teams are emerging as a crucial bridge between employee expectations and employer support.

Whether for solo lunches or team gatherings, investing in workplace dining solutions can help create a more engaged and connected workforce and ultimately drive productivity and job satisfaction, the study suggests.

The DfW research, conducted in January with 500 employees and 200 employers, sheds light on how workplace dining habits influence wellbeing and efficiency.

The research follows the introduction of the tripartite guidelines on FWAs last December, prompting businesses to reassess workplace policies.

Singapore’s Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang said the proportion of firms offering FWAs has risen from 68.1% in 2023 to 72.7% in 2024.

With 80% of employers feeling ready to implement these policies and 70% having established formal processes for managing FWA requests, workplace routines – including lunch breaks – are undergoing significant transformation.