Hispanic Millennials and Eating at Work [INSIGHT]

When Hispanic young adults are on the clock, do they take a break for lunch or a snack? Tr3s took a look at their on-the-job dining habits as part of its soon-to-be-released 2014 study of Hispanics ages 19 to 34. Here are Tr3s’s latest insights on the subject:

Hispanics are slightly more likely than non-Hispanics to eat during work hours. Among working Hispanic Adult Millennials, 82% have a meal during work hours (compared with 79% of non-Hispanics).  Employed Hispanics 19-29 are more likely than their non-Hispanic peers to have some food during the workday (80% vs. 75%).

Older Millennials are more likely to eat at work – mostly because their workdays are longer. About 85% of Hispanic and non-Hispanic workers 30-34 dine at work – more than the 19-29 segment overall. The main reason Hispanic and non-Hispanics 19-29 say they don’t have meals at work is because they’re part-timers. When Hispanics 30-34 don’t eat at work, it’s more because they’re too busy and don’t have time.

Those who eat while at work mostly bring food from home. About 7 in 10 Hispanic and non-Hispanic Adult Millennials who have on-the-job meals pack their own food. Among 19-29s, Hispanics who eat at work are more likely than non-Hispanics to bring something from home (72% vs. 68%).

At work, Hispanics most commonly eat in communal areas like a kitchen, break room, or cafeteria. Secondarily, they eat at their desks. Hispanics and non-Hispanics 19-29 have similar habits when it comes to meals in the workplace, but 30-34s differ. Hispanics 30-34 are more likely than non-Hispanics to eat in a communal area; non-Hispanics are more likely to eat at their desks.

Hispanics who buy food still tend to consume it at work, while non-Hispanics dine out more. Hispanic Adult Millennials are more likely than non-Hispanics to go off-site and buy food to bring back. Secondarily, they order for delivery at their workplace. Non-Hispanics are more likely than Hispanics to eat somewhere other than the workplace. Fast food restaurants are the most common source of work meals among both groups, though Hispanics also get food at Hispanic/Latino restaurants.

Most meal breaks are 16 to 30 minutes. About half of Hispanic and non-Hispanic Adult Millennials’ meal breaks are usually in the 16-to-30 minute range. Among Hispanics, 1 in 4 typically takes a break of 30 to 60 minutes. Less than 1 in 5 takes a break of 15 minutes or under.

Source: Tr3s Hispanic Adult Millennial Study (2014)

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