Office Kitchen Abusers!!!

dahkneeka
dahkneeka Posts: 163 Member
edited 6:20AM in Chit-Chat
I work in a small office, split on 2 levels. On my level, theres 9 people.

Abuse #1- No one seems capable and/or willing to load their own items in the dishwasher, turn on the dishwasher or unload the dishwasher (yet they still feel entitled to use the plates/utensils)

Abuse #2 - Someone can leave/forget an item in the fridge. It begins to rot, and no one seems to have the common sence to throw it out. I can understand not wanting to step over any boundries, but when there was a peach that is now a fuzzy green ball, it's only common sence. Instead, they would rather send an email and ask someone else to do it.

Abuse #3- Person uses the last paper towel and does not reload the dispenser. Waits for someone else to do it

I am in a Management position, and find I am doing all the above 2-3 times per week, while others play 'oblivious'. I dont mind doing it, I personally think we are all equal and it should be a shared responsibility.

I have sent out numerous emails... any other suggestions??

If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)

Replies

  • CarmenSRT
    CarmenSRT Posts: 843 Member
    As management set up a schedule for kitchen maintenance. Post it. That seems like a very low level way to go.
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    Abuse #1- Buy paper plates, utensils etc.

    Abuse #2 - Throw out stuff on Friday, anything unclaimed goes bye-bye (even if it's priceless china -trust me things will correct themselves right away)

    Abuse #3- If it's a roll, leave it on the counter, if it's napkins-- buy paper towel rolls

    You are not equal you're in a higher position START DELEGATING

    any other suggestions?? Have weekly task lists that everyone should do and alternate tasks among people
    If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)
  • Brengild
    Brengild Posts: 127
    We have a rule in our office, I clean out the fridge on Friday. If you leave it there, its gone. I get all the leftover containers, bonus for me, my kids use it to take leftovers when they come over! I work with all men and their wives probably wonder what happens to their containers, but they know the rules.
  • Danny_Boy13
    Danny_Boy13 Posts: 2,094 Member
    Abuse #1- Buy paper plates, utensils etc.

    Abuse #2 - Throw out stuff on Friday, anything unclaimed goes bye-bye (even if it's priceless china -trust me things will correct themselves right away)

    Abuse #3- If it's a roll, leave it on the counter, if it's napkins-- buy paper towel rolls

    You are not equal you're in a higher position START DELEGATING

    any other suggestions?? Have weekly task lists that everyone should do and alternate tasks among people
    If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)

    ^^^ This is my vote.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    I work in a small office, split on 2 levels. On my level, theres 9 people.

    Abuse #1- No one seems capable and/or willing to load their own items in the dishwasher, turn on the dishwasher or unload the dishwasher (yet they still feel entitled to use the plates/utensils)

    Abuse #2 - Someone can leave/forget an item in the fridge. It begins to rot, and no one seems to have the common sence to throw it out. I can understand not wanting to step over any boundries, but when there was a peach that is now a fuzzy green ball, it's only common sence. Instead, they would rather send an email and ask someone else to do it.

    Abuse #3- Person uses the last paper towel and does not reload the dispenser. Waits for someone else to do it

    I am in a Management position, and find I am doing all the above 2-3 times per week, while others play 'oblivious'. I dont mind doing it, I personally think we are all equal and it should be a shared responsibility.

    I have sent out numerous emails... any other suggestions??

    If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)


    find out whose rotten food it is and put it on their desk. As far as the dishwasher at least you have one, we have to do ours by hand.
  • dahkneeka
    dahkneeka Posts: 163 Member
    Abuse #1- Buy paper plates, utensils etc.

    Abuse #2 - Throw out stuff on Friday, anything unclaimed goes bye-bye (even if it's priceless china -trust me things will correct themselves right away)

    Abuse #3- If it's a roll, leave it on the counter, if it's napkins-- buy paper towel rolls

    You are not equal you're in a higher position START DELEGATING

    any other suggestions?? Have weekly task lists that everyone should do and alternate tasks among people
    If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)

    ^^^ This is my vote.

    Paper Plates / utensils doesnt seem like a long term solution, especially with the cost/waste ... although, it would be nice!!

    I will start to cleaning the fridge on Fridays- great idea.

    And as for the paper products, it's as simple as putting a new roll in the dispenser... which means my staff are LAZY!!

    Does anyone have experience with a 'task list'?? I have considered it, however... what happens if someone does not do thier task? Would thier lack of performace in this area be eligible for disciplinary action (it will come to this.... sad, i know)....

    The more I think about it.. the more 'childish' this whole thing seems. People really take things for granted these days!
  • CarmenSRT
    CarmenSRT Posts: 843 Member
    Abuse #1- Buy paper plates, utensils etc.

    Abuse #2 - Throw out stuff on Friday, anything unclaimed goes bye-bye (even if it's priceless china -trust me things will correct themselves right away)

    Abuse #3- If it's a roll, leave it on the counter, if it's napkins-- buy paper towel rolls

    You are not equal you're in a higher position START DELEGATING

    any other suggestions?? Have weekly task lists that everyone should do and alternate tasks among people
    If nothing works over the next month, I am going to take the kitchen out (we need the storage anyways)

    ^^^ This is my vote.

    Paper Plates / utensils doesnt seem like a long term solution, especially with the cost/waste ... although, it would be nice!!

    I will start to cleaning the fridge on Fridays- great idea.

    And as for the paper products, it's as simple as putting a new roll in the dispenser... which means my staff are LAZY!!

    Does anyone have experience with a 'task list'?? I have considered it, however... what happens if someone does not do thier task? Would thier lack of performace in this area be eligible for disciplinary action (it will come to this.... sad, i know)....

    The more I think about it.. the more 'childish' this whole thing seems. People really take things for granted these days!

    You could just give them a posted warning that if they don't keep it tidy that it will disappear on X date. Then follow through if they don't.
  • Ocarina
    Ocarina Posts: 1,550 Member
    I'm in a itty bitty teeny weeny group/office thing so our fridge isn't maintained very well. But if I were you I would have a sign... and a committed person/group to dump out the fridge at the end of every week. That stuff can get foul! We have a bad habit of having a meeting with a shizload of food and then letting it literally just sit there in the break room all month. It's gross. But if I start throwing crap away I have the risk of throwing something not bad away so it's a mess. LOL!

    I feel your pain though!! Freaking annoying!!
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