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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"Stealing" free things from work

229 replies

FickleUsernameChooser · 31/07/2014 15:48

WIBU to pocket about 6-8 sachets of the free sugar that comes with the free tea and coffee at work for when I go camping next week?

It feels wrong although I'd argue if I was here I'd be using them anyway (and possibly more) and it is offered free anyway. Seems a bit pointless to have to pack a bigger container of sugar.

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 01/08/2014 07:37

Theft is theft to me. You get a cup of tea, you're expected to take none, one or two sugars. That's what the service has been based on - somewhere someone will have had to tender, quote and base it on reasonable use. If everyone just stole them all it all breaks down.

I don't take sugar in tea or coffee. I probably have a hot drink in a café once or twice a week. THEY OWE ME FUCKLOADS OF SUGAR!
Anyone who feels the need to may steal my 2 sachets of sugar (multiplied by around 5 for the month, or maybe 80 for the year) whenever they like. Tell them I sent you.

OP, take the sodding sugar. This is the pettiest thread I've read for ages, and given that this is MN, that's no mean feat!

matildasquareded · 01/08/2014 07:44

Yeah, that's the trouble in being a law student. You hear about the person whose dismissal for "stealing" some leftover milk was upheld in tribunal, and then you're like, "You know what, I'll leave the sugar packets where they are just in case someone has it in for me."

ComeHeather · 01/08/2014 08:03

agree it's not on to take the sugar. why not just ask your supervisor/boss if you can have some? Most will say yes. at my work we have a charity tin for this kind of thing. so you want to do a couple of personal photocopies? fine but put 20p in the cancer research tin. works well for these kind of situations.

picnicbasketcase · 01/08/2014 08:06

Sugar cubes. Seriously. Get some.

TobyLerone · 01/08/2014 08:11

Sugar cubes don't work so well on Weetabix.

Icelollycraving · 01/08/2014 08:21

Ffs. Take the bloody sugar. Ask your manager if you're feeling a bit shifty. If they are the type of company to buy you pizza every week,I think they will giggle at you a bit.

picnicbasketcase · 01/08/2014 08:32

Okay, a couple of sugar sachets won't be missed, take them. Plus cubes for tea and coffee. And if you get bored you can build a pyramid.

SirChenjin · 01/08/2014 08:50

Mignonette I work in the NHS. I am a manager. I would not do anything if someone told me one of my team had taken 6-8 sachets of sugar. None of my manager colleagues would either - we have far, far more important and worthwhile things to do with our time. In fact, as I don't take sugar, and haven't in the 23 years I've worked for the NHS, I would be quite happy to donate the many thousands I'm owed. HTH.

OP, take the sodding sugar. This is the pettiest thread I've read for ages, and given that this is MN, that's no mean feat!
^ this

The first response on this thread is why this site is such a laughing stock in some areas of the real world
^ and this

however · 01/08/2014 08:52

If you're worried about getting caught, stuff them in some condoms and swallow them.

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 08:54

I think the point is that in legal terms you could get sacked for it.

That is fact.

It can, and does, happen.

Do as you will, but at least be armed with that fact, and don't cry about it, if it happens.

And don't mock people pointing the fact out to you.

RoganJosh · 01/08/2014 08:54

Just put your own sugar in a sandwich bag.

Every time you go on a self catering holiday you're going to have this issue so you need a solution.

SirChenjin · 01/08/2014 08:57

Link to cases where someone has been sacked for taking 6-8 sachets of sugar please.

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:00

Sir,with all due respect, that is you and your colleagues in your setting, using common sense in the unwritten rules of harmony and creating a pleasant working environment.

Hopefully the vast majority of workplaces are like yours.

If I took to squirrelling away the odd few sachets of sugar though, its sods law that I would be the unfortunate who would find mine isn't.

I don't do it because of self preservation rather than because I think I have the moral high ground!

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:01

It dorsn't have to be about sachets of sugar Sir as you well know.

Thats like saying its stealing if its a ring, but not uf its a bracelet....

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:02

however

What could possibly go wrong?? Grin

SirChenjin · 01/08/2014 09:07

So is it, or is it not the case that you could get sacked for taking sachets of sugar? You seemed so sure -

I think the point is that in legal terms you could get sacked for it.

That is fact.

It can, and does, happen.

It can and does happen, according to you - so presumably you have evidence to support your claims that being sacked for taking 6-8 sachets of sugar "can and does happen". Or was that just for effect?

matildasquareded · 01/08/2014 09:07

I think some of us who are fortunate enough to have normal/reasonable bosses forget how shitty/vindictive/petty some workplaces can be.

Hence my being shocked at the employment solicitor and her stories of the tribunal.

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:09

Do you understand law Sir?

The item is irrelevant.
The act is.

There may be case law relating to sachets of sugar -I do not know.

But there's certainly precedent with regard to stealing ftom your employers.

FryOneFatManic · 01/08/2014 09:10

We don't have tea/coffee etc supplied, we have to supply our own stuff, even sugar Sad

However, we do have hot water supplied, and in the recent hot weather there were a couple of Fridays when ice-creams were supplied free. Yum, except I missed the 2nd one as I was on holiday... Envy Grin

SirChenjin · 01/08/2014 09:11

So posting for effect - you actually have nothing to substantiate your claim that being sacked for taking 6-8 sachets of sugar "can and does happen".

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:15

Sir and I would challenge that you are arguing for effect.

Might you be able to show me a piece of legislation to show that stealing is unlawful.except when it comes to 6-8 sachets of sugar in the workplace?

matildasquareded · 01/08/2014 09:17

Being sacked for taking leftover/random food can and has happened. This thread has already cited loads of examples.

I mean, to be clear, I think it's weird and wrong. If I had an employee ask to take some extra sugar packets home I would laugh at her for asking! But we're talking about mean/vindictive bosses using the letter of the law to downsize or throw their weight around.

SirChenjin · 01/08/2014 09:21

I see - so no evidence to substantiate your claim. Thought not.

Might you be able to show me a piece of legislation to show that stealing is unlawful.except when it comes to 6-8 sachets of sugar in the workplace? If you read my posts very slowly and very carefully you will see that I have not claimed that there is "a piece of legislation to show that stealing is unlawful.except when it comes to 6-8 sachets of sugar" and therefore have no need to back it up Hmm. If you wish you spend your morning looking for such legislation then you knock yourself out.

matildasquareded · 01/08/2014 09:23

SirChenjin, you know perfectly well what she's saying. How tiresome.

ThatBloodyWoman · 01/08/2014 09:24

< bangs head against a brick wall>

I like a good debate, but this isn't one, and I have to go to work.

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