Eating in office way before and after lunch time is antisocial

[DyslexicScientist]

A few people in the office eat about 11am and 3pm. I wouldn't mind so much but the food is smelly andthey are noisey eaters (cutlery on a plate like they are playing a drum).

Aibu to think eating at your desk should just be limited to around lunch?

[G1veMeStrength]

YABU - if eating at desks is allowed, it should be allowed all the time. Otherwise I would be deprived of the joy of a mid morning bacon butty.

I've been at work since 7.30am so it feels like lunch time NOW I have to admit...

[biscuitkumquat]

I don't think anyone should be eating full meals at their desk at any time.

It's not hygenic, it's not nice for other people trying to work.

Workplaces don't give "lunch breaks" because they're benevolent, they do it because they have to. People work better if they step away from work & actually have a break.

Snacking is absolutely fine, but full meals. No.

[DyslexicScientist]

Otherwise I would be deprived of the joy of a mid morning bacon butty.

Well no, you don't have to eat that at your desk. There are break rooms for this.

[DyslexicScientist]

I kind of agree biscuit cum, but I do sometimes eat at my desk when I have errands to run at lunch. But I'm quite, have cold non smelly food and do it when its empty.

[echt]

Eating at all at the desk is horrible.

Snacking as a get-out is no excuse, because the full meal-types will just say they're snacking.

[echt]

I'm on a roll now: everyone thinks their food doesn't smell:

OH YES THEY DO

The apple

The fucking bananas

The muesli and milk.

Don't start me on the noise.

[RatherBeRiding]

Rather depends on your office set up. If its open plan, but there is a staff room, then they should eat there. However, some companies get rather arsey about people taking unscheduled breaks, hence people snack at their desks. I've always done it. Sandwiches, cup-a-soup etc - can't see the problem.

My present employer doesn't have a break room. Plus, I can't be away from my desk too long during core hours without a good reason. Previous employer - was in a small open plan office. No break room. We all ate whenever we felt like it. It really depends on your particular set up.

[aurorie11]

Not every office has a break room, mine doesn't

[MitzyLeFrouf]

It only bothers me if the food is smelly (reheated fish! Argh) or noisy (museli munchers! Argh).

[expatinscotland]

YABU.

[OnlyLovers]

YABU. Who says lunchtime has to be a fixed time anyway? (unless the nature of your work/workplace dictates it, obvs.)

I get hungry about every two or three hours so often have my 'main' lunch at about 12, and something else mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Having said that, I do wish my office had a canteen or area we could eat lunch in, just because it's healthier to get away from your desk for a bit.

[echt]

Good point about staff rooms. My work has one, hence my rant.

[redjoker]

i dont have a staff room, or a sink, and my running water is from a garden tap! Luckily though I only have one other colleague too so I do what I want!

I do have a microwave though #win

Agree with smelly foods though, get your egg sarnies out of my face!

[ButImNotTheOnlyOne]

Eating at your desk in a shared office is bleugh
The smell, the noise, the talking with the mouth full, the encrusted food on the keyboard, the dirty plates left on the side.
Ten flipping minutes in the staff room isn't going to kill your productivity.

[StealthPolarBear]

" People work better if they step away from work & actually have a break."
Some people. Not all. This is one of those myths that appears to have taken off along with the breakfast stuff.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

We don't have a staff room either.

[wasonthelist]

Yabu

[DyslexicScientist]

Obviously all food has a smell, but there is a huge difference between a microwaved curry or tuna salad with a cold salad wrap.

[DyslexicScientist]

Even if you don't have a staff room, there must be somewhere to eat a bacon s quickly.

Isn't there a legal requirement for a breakout room?

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Nope. We're in the process of refurbishing new offices but for the moment all spare spaces are being used for meetings.

Everyone eats at their desks and no one seems to have a problem with it. And we're quite a vocal lot so I don't think people are keeping a polite silence.

[redjoker]

I work in two locations, and in my previous job, AND the one before that- no staff rooms

[Artandco]

Many haven't a staff room

Also I start work very early often so eat breakfast later and therefore lunch later. So 6am in office I don't fancy breakfast at 5.30am so i would eat something at 9am or so, then lunch about 2.30pm

You would love our office, we have a nutribullet machine! Buzzing away at various times of the day

[nanodragon]

People who eat smelly food at their desk have no consideration for others. Really not nice.

[Artandco]

I have never heard of a 'breakout' room. Sounds more like prison

[Postchildrenpregranny]

Eating atyour desk should be banned for all sorts of reasons , not least that you should have (and are entitled by law to have) a proper break . A biscuit, fine.
And while I'm on about it , cinemas should also ban eating