Eating at work

[Smartieskid]

Was eating my lunch at my reception desk we don't get a break but often have very quiet patches some customer comments under her breath to her husband that she wouldn't have her staff eating in view of people and that it was rude we can't eAt any where else but do you think I was being unreasonable and should eat out of site

[AgentProvocateur]

I do thinks it's unprofessional to eat at a reception desk, but if there's nowhere else, then you've no other option.

[MrsHathaway]

When you say you were eating your lunch, was it your lunch break or were you peckish early?

TBH if it's your break you shouldn't be on reception, and if it's not your break you probably shouldn't be eating.

[alibongo5]

How long are your shifts because you should be legally entitled to a break of 20 minutes if you work longer than 6 hours. The HSE.gov website says so "A worker is entitled to an uninterrupted break of 20 minutes when daily working time is more than six hours. It should be a break in working time and should not be taken either at the start, or at the end, of a working day."

[myownprivateidaho]

It does look bad, but it's a reflection on your company not you. If you're not being given proper breaks then you don't have much choice really. Why on earth don't you get a lunch break? That's really not ok.

[KeyserSophie]

If you don't get a break there's not much you can do but I don't think it gives a great impression. Receptionists where I work (financial services) are only allowed water but they do get an hour lunch break and 2 other 20 minute coffee breaks in a 10 hour day (plus can obviously go to the loo etc as there's 2 of them).

[rollinghedgehog]

I think it's might be bad that you don't have anywhere else to eat, but even worse that you were made to feel bad because of this.

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a receptionist eat at his/her desk, but it might make the company look unprofessional and like they are not giving you adequate breaks/ facilities.

So YANBU, the woman who mentioned it is definitely BU and possibly your company is BU.

[Smartieskid]

Well we work 6 and a half hours so just over we no we can legally have a break but it's such and easy job and employee is lovely we can have when we want off work days that we want

[Smartieskid]

We no we don't get a set 20 mins break but it is so quiet that we can do what we want really

[JoJoSM2]

It'll illegal for you not to have a break. If you're not needed there all the time, why don't you just pop out to have your lunch ? You could ask your manager as it would be much more professional not to eat at the desk.

[Gottagetmoving]

You should get a break and you should have somewhere to go for your break. Talk to your employers. I don't think it is ok to eat at a desk that is customer facing.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

Maybe let your boss know a customer complained about you eating at the desk. It's up to your boss then how to deal with it.

[Smartieskid]

We don't have a manager where just a reception at the entrance of the building I don't mind not having a break

[Trifleorbust]

I think it's fine if you don't have the option of a proper break but if you do, it doesn't look great to be honest.