'No One Eats Alone': Founder Shuts Down Entire Office For 1 Hour Daily, Internet Calls It An 'Office Picnic'

A now-viral LinkedIn post by KK Create founder Kavya Karnatac has sparked widespread discussion after she revealed an unusual workplace rule: a mandatory one-hour daily lunch break where all work comes to a complete halt.

At the centre of the discussion is a strict, company-wide one-hour lunch break that pauses all work each day, an initiative she describes as a “picnic at the office.”

Karnatac explained that the rule applies to all employees without exception. Regardless of deadlines, meetings, or workload pressures, everyone is expected to step away from their tasks and join colleagues for a shared meal. “Every day we have a 1-hour picnic at the office! And it is non-negotiable,” Karnatac wrote.

According to her, KK Create has a team of around

40 people working across multiple functions, often dealing with tight timelines and demanding schedules. However, at a fixed time every afternoon, the atmosphere shifts noticeably.

“We are a team of 40 people across different verticals, deadlines, and chaos. But suddenly as the clock hits 2 PM, all of that disappears and everyone gathers in the hall,” she noted.

Describing the setting, she said the arrangement is informal and inclusive. Employees pull chairs from different parts of the office, stand if needed, or squeeze into available spaces to sit together.

The aim, she emphasised, is to ensure that no one is left out. “Because, no one eats alone at KK Create. There’s no hierarchy at that table. Managers, freshers, sab ek plate se kha lete hain,” she wrote.

Karnatac added that senior team members actively encourage participation, often urging colleagues to prioritise the break over pending work. “The managers are the first ones to say, ‘Aajao lunch karne, kaam baad mein karna,’” she said.

The lunch hour often extends beyond just eating. She described it as a time filled with casual conversations, shared home-cooked meals, jokes, and even games. “It goes for an hour, sometimes even more: Someone sharing ghar ka khaana.

Someone cracking the worst (but funniest) jokes. Someone starting a mafia game mid-meal. It feels like party everyday,” Karnatac wrote.

Highlighting the broader intent behind the initiative, she said the ritual fosters stronger team bonds. “This culture is rare and honestly? Some days, it doesn’t even feel like an office. It feels like a family sitting down for a meal,” she added, noting that the daily pause reinforces the importance of connection beyond work.

However, the post also raised practical questions. One user asked how the company handles urgent tasks or client calls during this fixed break.

Responding to the query, Karnatac said, “Nothing is urgent to us at that time. We try to detach ourselves from work for an hour and get back with even more efficiency.”

The post sparked a broader conversation online, with users sharing mixed but largely positive reactions.

“Well, nowadays, having the best working culture should be recognized with great appreciation. On one hand we’ve seen so many abusive workspaces and and on another we have such inspiring environments,” said one user.

“Kavya Karnatac This sounds more like a community than just an office. Love that you’ve made this hour non-negotiable. I’m curious though—when that 2 PM clock hits, how do you guys handle those ‘urgent’ client calls or deadlines that always seem to pop up right at lunch? It’s a bold move to put culture first like that!” said another.

“Culture isn’t built in meetings, it’s built in moments like these. Kavya Karnatac Moments beyond work are what make teams stay,” a third said.

One user wrote, “This sounds more like a community than just an office. Love that you’ve made this hour non-negotiable.”

“Honestly, this feels less like a ‘perk’ and more like a mindset. When people are comfortable enough to laugh, share food, and just be themselves, work stops feeling transactional,” a fourth user said.

“Culture is not built in meetings or policies. It shows up in small daily rituals like this. Most companies chase productivity and forget that connection is what sustains it. When people actually enjoy being around each other, collaboration stops feeling forced. This is the kind of thing that looks simple but compounds quietly over time,” another user added.