At work, the lunch or breakroom is often a place to mingle or hide out during breaks. Sometimes, though, it can be a place of crime. Crime in the workplace? Oh yes.
As
an etiquette consultant, one of the most common workplace complaints I hear
concerns the lunch thief. Thievery isn't
the only breakroom complaint, however. Therefore,
I've developed a few tools to deal with this diverse group of breakroom
irritants and offenders.
What causes some employees to
exhibit such poor behavior?
When
frustrated with coworkers, many will come to me with their workplace stories
and questions. The first question is
usually about why their coworkers would steal their lunch or warm smelly fish
in the microwave.
The answer is simple: Most forget that the workplace is a shared space, so they
become too comfortable and forget to use their best manners. Additionally, many these days have an air of
entitlement, as if everything around them is theirs. Impolite and so unfortunate.
If I witness a theft, what do
I do? Talk to the employee or go to the manager?
If
witnessing theft, even of someone's lunch, most often it's best to report
it. However, it depends on the
workplace. If you know the person well,
you could jokingly mention that you witnessed something that appeared like he
or she was very hungry. Most often, though, it is best not to talk
directly to the person. He could become
defensive or angry and may retaliate. It
is the manager's job to handle issues such as this anyway.
When
reporting this type of behavior, it is best to avoid mentioning names. Just mention that there is a problem and that
it may be best to address it. Often an
office-wide email does the trick.
Fish in the microwave and
other smelling issues.
Odoriferous
in nature, this breakroom offender forgets that smells travel far in the
workplace. He brings fish, garlicky
dishes, or something equally smelly for lunch and broadcasts the aromas by
warming it in the microwave. His burned microwave popcorn is similarly
pungent. What can we do about it?
Seek
clearly written policy from management. The
entire staff should receive a copy of the policy, so all understand taboo
lunchroom food items.
There's a hog in the breakroom
and she doesn't clean up after herself!
This
offender does not like to share. She
brings in oversized lunchboxes leaving little room for others. Many times, this person leaves takeout boxes
in the fridge and frozen lunches in the freezer and never retrieves them. Of course, this person is the same one who
never cleans up after herself. Besides
screaming incoherently in anger, what is the best solution?
Again,
it is best to seek a clearly written policy from management. It is most helpful for the policy to be
presented to the entire staff during a meeting.
During the meeting, all could define what the breakroom tasks are and
how to share the various duties.
Do (s) and Don't (s)
- Pursue office policy about cleanliness and theft in the breakroom.
- If witness to a theft in the breakroom, discuss it with management without mentioning the offender's name.
- Don't steal others' food.
- Don't bring smelly lunches.
- Don't burn microwave popcorn.
- Don't hog the refrigerator space.
- Clean up after yourself.
- Monitor your behavior; don't make others do it for you.
- If you are the boss, create rules for breakroom behavior.
More
by Rebecca
How to Deal
With Irritating, Loud, Sick and Clueless Coworkers
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