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New job - already fed up with unhealthy ‘working lunches‘

613 replies

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:25

I’ve been in my new job since February and in the main really enjoy it. However, we have monthly ‘planning meetings’ which so far are always scheduled to run through lunch (usually 11-3) and the bosses arrange for a lunch to be provided. Last month, it was a job lot of Greggs ‘beige’ - sausage rolls etc, and today it was stacks of dominoes which everyone could pile in to.

I haven’t said anything so far as I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and the majority of my colleagues seemed ecstatic with these choices, but as someone who is quite big on health and fitness, this is really irritating. We get a 5-10
minute break from this at most which isn’t enough time for me to do much more than go to the loo (big office with microwave facilities downstairs and always a queue over lunch).

Would you ask to get a longer break so I can have my own lunch? I’m just conscious this will delay the meeting for everyone else so very wary of asking.

OP posts:
Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:36

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:25

As I said, I’m barely in the role having been head hunted late last year and no one likes someone who has just come in and starts dictating things, regardless of their salary.

Headhunted 😂😂😂

People who are actually headhunted, the true meaning not just had a recruiter say they came across your profile on LinkedIn can usually ask for whatever they want given the recruitment fee paid and the fact the employer specifically requested you.

I get it op, I often like to daydream too 🥰

Magpiepie · 13/05/2025 19:36

RareGoalsVerge · 13/05/2025 18:29

I'd be taking in a box of salad. This isn't rocket science.

Ha ha, other leafy salad items are available!

SabreToothTigerLily · 13/05/2025 19:36

Do you like pasta or curries? You could make one and put it in a thermos pot, or even an electric lunch box. I batch cook a lot and DP has one of these that re-heats the meal in about 30 mins:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buddew-Electric-110-230V-Leakproof-Insulated/dp/B0BBVP2YDG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JN50G6JIOZFD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IHc9gTm8lK3lD2ETEGEEe5B4xxr3t3v7KfP89qS__vtrYu-2INs3Zz6iffiynuR-9A1igqDiK0GDJfx-1PdimS-gE8W_jVIK_TtErM8pRXYFU58GMb5QnTGXskQ8gw3CU0JdOFnzynl7cJx-iJY1wmBKuX9vKFOKpXeL9xjrNF9Uf1Al-GGY18FsQaFnP-9Pvg6MITnHwdaInbRE4u7ZFi_Ul1ombaYQUj6lHDacHzsiOxH8EjlBuq6kMhgEWxepJmnr5Y_cg-Y6w0ivrtZEcDXyf2EJkQb4Ikc9ScY5UYg.uZY5e8KxunrhkQ4voMBQoxqZ8S8Rbqbeo1tF224lkuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=electric%2Blunch%2Bbox&qid=1747161196&sprefix=electrice%2Blunch%2Bbox%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Buddew Electric Lunch Box 80W Food Heater 3 in 1 12/24/110-230V Portable Lunch Warmer Upgraded Leakproof Heated, for Car/Truck/Office with SS Fork&Spoon and Insulated Carry Bag (Green) : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Buddew Electric Lunch Box 80W Food Heater 3 in 1 12/24/110-230V Portable Lunch Warmer Upgraded Leakproof Heated, for Car/Truck/Office with SS Fork&Spoon and Insulated Carry Bag (Green) at Amazon UK.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buddew-Electric-110-230V-Leakproof-Insulated/dp/B0BBVP2YDG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JN50G6JIOZFD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IHc9gTm8lK3lD2ETEGEEe5B4xxr3t3v7KfP89qS__vtrYu-2INs3Zz6iffiynuR-9A1igqDiK0GDJfx-1PdimS-gE8W_jVIK_TtErM8pRXYFU58GMb5QnTGXskQ8gw3CU0JdOFnzynl7cJx-iJY1wmBKuX9vKFOKpXeL9xjrNF9Uf1Al-GGY18FsQaFnP-9Pvg6MITnHwdaInbRE4u7ZFi_Ul1ombaYQUj6lHDacHzsiOxH8EjlBuq6kMhgEWxepJmnr5Y_cg-Y6w0ivrtZEcDXyf2EJkQb4Ikc9ScY5UYg.uZY5e8KxunrhkQ4voMBQoxqZ8S8Rbqbeo1tF224lkuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=electric%2Blunch%2Bbox&qid=1747161196&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&sprefix=electrice%2Blunch%2Bbox%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1-spons&th=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5334311-new-job-already-fed-up-with-unhealthy-working-lunches

Netcam · 13/05/2025 19:36

OMGitsnotgood · 13/05/2025 18:29

Take a salad in a cool bag. It’s not really that difficult

That's what I do.

RedPandaClaws · 13/05/2025 19:36

RedPandaClaws · 13/05/2025 19:24

Boom, I've just solved your problem for you OP.

heatsbox.com/

This is surely the answer?!

No need to continue the thread I solved the OPs problem 10 mins ago!

TheBossOfMe · 13/05/2025 19:36

Hot food brought from home in a flask that keeps it hot. That's what I do when it's cold. But I can't quite understand why hot is better than cold for your diet, perfectly possible to eat to macros with cold food!

Devonshiregal · 13/05/2025 19:36

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:25

As I said, I’m barely in the role having been head hunted late last year and no one likes someone who has just come in and starts dictating things, regardless of their salary.

No one likes someone who looks down on others.

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/05/2025 19:35

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Loook at you Little Miss Goady, trying to get a reaction. Slim✅ successful✅ but cannot problem solve a lunch conundrum

BTW, My work order food me for me specifically at events to meet my dietary requirements inc oat milk. Because I’m worth it

Butchyrestingface · 13/05/2025 19:35

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Chin up, old chap.

I doubt the evidence of your shame will even be here in an hour's time.

Sofiewoo · 13/05/2025 19:35

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Nothing about your posts suggests got support other women…

ToKittyornottoKitty · 13/05/2025 19:35

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:34

Eh? Where was that?

Your deleted comment

StarStay · 13/05/2025 19:35

This can't be real 😂

ThejoyofNC · 13/05/2025 19:34

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

You clearly only support slim women and not porkers who eat carbs.

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:34

ToKittyornottoKitty · 13/05/2025 19:33

Hold on, you said those who didn’t agree with you were ‘resident porkers’. No way are you smart enough to have that 6 figure job. No wonder you can’t work out how to bring your own cold lunch into work

Eh? Where was that?

OP posts:
Uricon2 · 13/05/2025 19:34

MyDeftDuck · 13/05/2025 19:25

I would bloody hate this crap food too….whatever are management thinking? Just because one person likes beige edible shit doesn’t make it right for everyone else to have no choice in what they eat……and the restricted break period cannot be legal surely? Hardly enough time to go for a piss! Someone’s definitely taking the piss!

Well, Attila does have a choice. She doesn't have to eat it. Lots of sensible suggestions upthread. Also, I've had many working days where leaving my desk for a piss seemed a luxury and if someone had thrown me a Greggs anything I'd probably have expired of sheer gratitude.

HansHolbein · 13/05/2025 19:34

Here for deletion Grin

FOJN · 13/05/2025 19:34

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Yeah that's right OP we hate slim, successful women so much that even your charming personality couldn't win us over.

LimeOrca · 13/05/2025 19:33

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Keep ‘em coming OP!

do you have a partner? Children?

luckylavender · 13/05/2025 19:33

You sound terribly uptight OP. Compromise is good.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 13/05/2025 19:33

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Hold on, you said those who didn’t agree with you were ‘resident porkers’. No way are you smart enough to have that 6 figure job. No wonder you can’t work out how to bring your own cold lunch into work

ZepherinDrouhin · 13/05/2025 19:33

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Well why are you passing judgement on your colleagues dress sizes? You're not exactly being supportive are you?

MsCactus · 13/05/2025 19:33

I'm really enjoying OP seeming to think that "porkers" have a terrible diet and slim people eat well.

I'm skinny with a terrible UPF diet - I'd love a Greggs! Most people I know who are slim don't eat well, they just don't eat much. And lots of overweight people have very healthy diets

TyrannasaurusJex · 13/05/2025 19:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Chocolatelabradorsarethebest · 13/05/2025 19:32

Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:15

I really really doubt that, you can't even work out how to resolve this issue that my dogs turd she's just shat out could overcome 😂

‘you can't even work out how to resolve this issue that my dogs turd she's just shat out could overcome’ is my new favourite phrase! 😂😂

ResidentPorker · 13/05/2025 19:32

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 13/05/2025 19:31

FYI, the zeroes that come after the decimal point don't count hun x

😂