Coworker confronts employee after discovering they use their lunch break to take walks around the parking garage, employee refuses their demands to stop: ‘I’m entitled to my break’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 8, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

What is the most far-from-working thing you have gotten around to doing during your lunch break? We're not talking about going to the pharmacy, getting groceries, or calling your mom; we want to know the most far-fetched things you manage to squeeze in on your hour-long break from work. For example, I once went to get my nails done during my lunch break. I would not recommend it, though, because it was kind of difficult to explain how my nails changed colors in the middle of the day. 

The employee in the story below is not as extreme. They spend their break time going on walks around the parking lot. Anyone who works a desk job knows how challenging it can be to sit by a desk for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, so spending an hour in the middle of the day moving around doesn't sound so bad. 

However, when one of their coworkers discovered what they do during their lunch time, they were not as excited about the idea. They thought it was weird that an employee uses their lunch time to do anything but eat lunch and work.

Do you agree? Keep scrolling to read the full tale and let me know in the comments below.

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  • 01
    "Lunch break is for eating, not walking"
    via Rosalind Chang

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    AITA for taking walks on my lunch break?

    A few years ago I started a job that was more office based than previous jobs. Because of that, I was moving less and gaining some weight and I am very out of shape.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 03
    I'm not overweight, but I'm carrying a little more fat than I'm used to and I can tell my cardio ability has gone down.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 04
    I get a one hour paid lunch per day. A lot of my coworkers eat at their desk and do a little work, like maybe answering an email.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 05
    But mostly eating. I personally go to my car to eat and then do laps around the parking garage before I go back in.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 06
    I am never gone for more than an hour, I am back on time.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 07
    Recently I did my normal routine. I grabbed my lunch, went to my car and ate it, then I started on my walk.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 08
    I happened to run into a coworker during my walk. He was out there because he forgot needed something from his car.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 09
    He stopped me and asked what I was doing. I told him I ate my lunch and now I am taking a walk before my lunch break is over.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 10
    He didn't like that answer and said our lunch break is for eating, not walking, and that when I am done eating, I should go back to work.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 11
    I told him we are given an hour for lunch, I want to use all of it in the best way I can.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10537754368
    via Lukas Bachofner

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 13
    I think he told other people because then, I've been receiving comments before I go on break that I didn't receive before.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 14
    I don't think I was wrong, I'm entitled to my break, all my work gets done on time, I take it at about the same time every day so it's expected I won't be available, and I maybe come back to a few non-urgent emails.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 15
    I have my phone on me in case someone calls for an emergency, which has never happened.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 16
    I talked to my parents about it and they both said they work through lunch and I shouldn't be out walking.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 17
    But also they're older and raised in a different time, so I don't know if I should trust their judgement.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 18
    So AITA for taking a walk during my lunch break?
    via TA_time2walk
  • 19
    ETA: it's paid. A lot of people think it's unpaid. I am paid for it. I'm salary.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 20
    My manager doesn't have an issue but some people I work with do have an issue knowing I use part of it to walk.
    via TA_time2walk
  • 21
    Optimal_Spare_5007 ΝΤΑ Last I checked, it's called lunch BREAK, not lunch work-more time.
    via Optimal_Spare_5007
  • 22
    mpurdey12 ΝΤΑ Your co-worker is an a. I don't care if you get an hour for lunch, or only 30 minutes, or if your lunch is paid or unpaid. Your lunch time is your lunch time. Period.
    via mpurdey12
  • 23
    loolilool NTA. People who work on their lunch breaks are class traitors. Unions fought hard for breaks. Use them however you want, it's your time!
    via loolilool
  • 24
    SamBartlett1776 I'm older and ALWAYS walked on my lunch break. Fresh air and exercise meant I was more alert during the afternoon. Most days a coworker joined me.
    via SamBartlett1776
  • 25
    My spouse worked at multiple locations with a gym and shower. They would run on their break.
    via SamBartlett1776
  • 26
    NotOnApproved List NTA, if the job says you get an hour, you get an hour. Keep yourself healthy. If somebody in administration comes down on you for it, look for another job.
    via NotOnApprovedList

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Tags

lunch break aita workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace coworkers reddit story lunch overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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