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Colleagues keep using my milk!

438 replies

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 11:34

I don't want to sound petty as in the grand scheme of things, milk isn't an expensive item and maybe I should leave this be, but it's really starting to grate on me...

Work in an office with around 30-ish staff, the majority are on shift work including weekends so people are in & out a lot. I work standard hours 4 days a week. The company provides tea & coffee but staff bring in their own milk etc. I buy a large filtered milk every month as it lasts and I only have a few cups of tea a day so makes sense.

However, over the last 6 months or so, people will ask me if they can 'borrow' some milk. I would never say no to someone asking but they NEVER bring in their own milk or buy one to replace mine that they've used over the weeks...

Today, I brought in a brand new milk, name on it, placed it at the back of the fridge so hard to find, and I've just gone to make a cuppa and it's been opened without asking, and a 1/4 of it has gone!

How do I word an email to my colleagues (if people think I should) that is polite and doesn't sound too petty?

OP posts:
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RobinEllacotStrike · 16/01/2025 17:38

write on the outside "I have spat in MY MILK - not for general consumption".

Or make a flask of tea at home in the moring and bring it in each day.

How crappy & tight that your employers don't pay for general milk for their staff.

dixon86 · 16/01/2025 17:32

InkHeart2024 · 16/01/2025 11:40

Decant it into a metal water bottle. Nobody will touch your water.

I was going to say the same thing

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 16/01/2025 17:30

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Imagine admitting this. Rank.

cansu · 16/01/2025 17:14

Put the milk in a bottle or flask that isn't transparent.
However I think your employer should provide the milk really. Would people be prepared to chip in for a regular delivery?

ScottBakula · 16/01/2025 17:09

Immo8 · 16/01/2025 11:58

That's been tried in the past, but you'd have people who didn't opt it but would still use the milk...so the amount of time taken to organise it was just pointless! Plus people like to use different milks etc.

I've have also known the same thing , people will also assume that because they they have paid their £s into the fund that they can have porridge with half a pint of milk each day

Isobel201 · 16/01/2025 16:49

Yeah working in the local authority or civil service - you had to provide your own tea/coffee/milk. I had 0 milk issues ever since working from home 😁But yeah those udder locks look good, or a flask.

WoolySnail · 16/01/2025 16:49

Loub1987 · 16/01/2025 16:44

Start a tea kitty. Then everyone contributes money and supplies are topped up as required

Because-

Immo8 · Today 11:58

Ohthatsabitshit · Today 11:56

Put it in a different bottle. Why on earth don’t you all just pool some ££s to buy milk?

OP- That's been tried in the past, but you'd have people who didn't opt it but would still use the milk...so the amount of time taken to organise it was just pointless! Plus people like to use different milks etc.

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:45

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Loub1987 · 16/01/2025 16:44

Start a tea kitty. Then everyone contributes money and supplies are topped up as required

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:39

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Toolardy · 16/01/2025 16:38

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Not something I would boast about.

newtb · 16/01/2025 16:38

Label it 'immob only'. Might make a difference.

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:37

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Toolardy · 16/01/2025 16:36

Lalalol · 16/01/2025 15:52

It’s milk. Do you really want to be known as the person who made a fuss about milk? Just let it go. Literally.

or ask the company to provide it

But it is stealing. What next? Let them eat your lunch too and don't make a fuss?

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:36

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Funkyslippers · 16/01/2025 16:36

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So what if it was another pregnant woman?

Lilactimes · 16/01/2025 16:35

Definitely arrange a kitty!

ChristmasPudd1990 · 16/01/2025 16:32

Someone needs to organise a kitty and everyone chips in a £ or 2 a week. You shouldn't have to bring your own milk in if everyone keeps stealing it.

RadFs · 16/01/2025 16:31

hi @Immo8 put a laxative or 2 In This bottle and let them use it. You can bring your decanted one.

RhathymicandMaenadic · 16/01/2025 16:29

SleepyHippy3 · 16/01/2025 12:34

But stealing other people’s things doesn’t make you look like the ultimate arse loser?

Theoretically, yes! The thief is the arse. But a 'send to all' email will get the backs up of those who are innocent, and won't stop the guilty, because they are unlikely to be caught in the act. So the sender doesn't come out well - it can seem petty!
Trust me, milk politics can be the undoing of a team!!

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:16

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MissMarplesGoddaughter · 16/01/2025 16:15

WellsAndThistles · 16/01/2025 12:11

You've never worked in the public sector 😀

When I worked for a LA we had to provide our own fridge as well as milk, tea, coffee etc etc.

Dutchesss · 16/01/2025 16:15

It's stealing, and yes it might not cost loads but it's also a massive inconvenience.
You expect it to last then have to spend not only money but time replacing it. I order a weekly shop and it would be frustrating to have to do two orders because someone is stealing my food. A milk rota would be fair but the thieves never want to put in their share.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 16/01/2025 16:10

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I was the only pregnant woman. And I wouldn't have minded some urgent snacking on it (we sometimes worked really late hours) if it had ever been replaced.

stevialiquid · 16/01/2025 16:09

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