A 32-YEAR-OLD is held in deep suspicion by his workmates for his bizarre habit of leaving the office for 40 minutes every day. 

Neil, not his real name, of Braintree refuses to either eat at his desk or use the office canteen, saying he “prefers to get some fresh air” which is universally seen as cover for some dubious activity. 

Colleague Isabel, not her real name, said: “He goes to Tesco, he goes to Costa, he’s been seen eating crisps on a park bench like a homeless person or even often just walking. 

“I’ve told him come to the canteen with us, we have a right laugh talking about everything that’s happened in the last three hours and they have Loose Women on the big telly you can’t turn off. 

“He says it’s the only chance he gets to see sunlight during the day, but we have windows even if the blinds have to be closed because it reflects on Shawna’s monitor.” 

Kevin, not his real name, who they all report to, said: “By leaving for lunch, Neil is implying that he is in some way separate from his occupation and that it is not somewhere he would voluntarily choose to spend all his time. 

“He’ll have to go before he gives anyone ideas.”