If I go for a walk and I’m actively thinking about something I’m working on, is that considered a break? If your work requires you to actively think to solve problems, then in my opinion the answer is no. If you can problem solve better while walking, you should go on that walk.
This is the peak of micro-management: If you’re not at your desk working then surely you aren’t working, right?! How can you leave at 4pm if you went for a walk after lunch?!
Of course, there are many jobs where you are required to be somewhere at a certain time. This post is not about those types of jobs. To re-iterate, I’m talking about positions that require you to think to solve problems.
Implementation and results are a better indicator than “time spent at desk”.
If you have a chance to browse Netflix’s culture page I highly suggest it.
This quote resonates: “Of course, to be great, most of us have to put in considerable effort, but hard work and long hours is not how we measure or talk about a person’s contribution.”