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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that I should be able to eat at work?

394 replies

GlassyPinkP · 17/07/2018 11:04

I work in an office, am not public facing, and sit behind a computer all day. 6 months pregnant and feel hungry throughout the day, but heartburn means I can't eat big meals. I've been eating at my desk (not huge or smelly meals, usually a bowl of cereal, sandwich, fruit etc) throughout the day. It doesn't impact on my work and it makes me feel a whole heap less hungry throughout the day compared to when I eat a tiny breakfast and a tiny lunch in between!

My manager has raised with me that one of my colleagues is not happy that I am eating a lot at my desk (I'm within my calories, it's not a huge amount it's just more spread out). Apparently I should go in to the kitchen area and eat out there. Everyone eats their lunch at their desks but their screens are turned off so it's an official lunch break.

AIBU to think I should be allowed to have a 30 min lunch break to eat my sandwiches and if I want to eat fruit or the odd bowl of cereal 2/3 times a day this shouldn't be an issue?

I'm finding pregnancy really hard and have nausea constantly as well as heartburn and gallbladder problems. Food helps! I don't want to be banished to standing in the kitchen every time I want to eat an orange...

Opinions?

OP posts:
SunShades · 18/07/2018 18:43

@Catsandkids78

The OP's work have already been made more than reasonable adjustments in allowing her to eat in the kitchen. She isn't medically required to eat at a desk.

Catsandkids78 · 18/07/2018 18:43

Also we aren't in the 1940's

"If you are allowed to eat at your desk any time you want they everyone would have to be allowed to eat at their desks any time of the desk as well. That just isn't acceptable in an office. "

  • every company I have worked at people are allowed to choose were they eat - either at their desks or at a lunch table.
Catsandkids78 · 18/07/2018 18:45

I would argue that having to go to eat in a kitchen is more disruptive to both herself and others.

"Reasonable adjustments" are debatable.

  • Would people eat birthday cake or treats at their desks? Do people drink tea or coffee at their desks? For me it is about precedent.

Also she might not be super mobile depending on the location of their kitchen.

crunchymint · 18/07/2018 18:46

I worked somewhere where we were banned from eating at desks.

SunShades · 18/07/2018 18:46

But it just isn't acceptable in an office @Catsandkids78. Not one with any standards of decorum or civility anyway.

DailyMailReadersAreThick · 18/07/2018 18:48

I'm so glad I work in my office and not with some of you lot! We get free breakfast at work delivered to our desks. We all eat it at our desks. The woman next to me snacks all day. We manage to behave like grown ups and do our work.

Catsandkids78 · 18/07/2018 18:48

"Everyone eats their lunch at their desks but their screens are turned off so it's an official lunch break." - precedent is there.

Wow CrunchyMint I bet you are fun at parties.

crunchymint · 18/07/2018 18:51

Why that comment? I didn't like the policy, but it was the policy and it was enforced.

Sooperkat · 18/07/2018 18:59

I work for a cereal company, everyone eats cereal at their desk whenever they choose. We have a radio on though so it covers up the slurping Grin

Catsandkids78 · 18/07/2018 19:02

“Not one with any standards of decorum or civility anyway” - sounds like you do like the policy

crunchymint · 18/07/2018 19:04

Catsandkids Not me who posted that. Sounds like my ex boss though.

Frogletmamma · 18/07/2018 19:05

Munched my way through a packet of Hariboes at my desk today, feeling slightly guilty.

FatSally · 18/07/2018 19:10

But it just isn't acceptable in an office @Catsandkids78. Not one with any standards of decorum or civility anyway

Pfftt.

I work in an office environment. Multi national employer, very well paid and professional role.

We eat at our desks. Whatever and whenever we like (within reason/nothing smelly etc).

When we have our monthly 'big' meeting we all grab a cuppa and someone usually brings the biscuit tin Shock

We all manage to get our work done.

Iloveacurry · 18/07/2018 19:10

Your colleague is being pathetic! And can’t believe your manager is taking this up with you. So can they honestly say that no one else in your office eats anything during the working day except at lunchtime? Absolutely ridiculous.

RoseWhiteTips · 18/07/2018 19:19

Snacking all day? Some of those people must be overweight.

RoseWhiteTips · 18/07/2018 19:22

I find the “nothing smelly” defence amusing. If, for instance, you eat Pot Noodle at your desk and so do others eat that sort of food, the stench of monosodium glutamate must be enough to knock you over. It is a vile odour.

RoseWhiteTips · 18/07/2018 19:23

Can you imagine if teachers snacked all day in the classroom - to use but one example? Teachers get pregnant too and weirdly seem to manage to fit in as before.

Strongmummy · 18/07/2018 19:28

Your colleague is a tit. Your manager should have done his/her job and managed HIM, ie told him to get back in his box.

HelenaDove · 18/07/2018 19:29

Not neccessarily Rose. I ate more when i was losing weight on Slimming World than i have at any other time.

purplebunny2012 · 18/07/2018 19:36

I'm so glad I don't work for/with some of the posters on here!

RidingMyBike · 18/07/2018 19:37

I can’t have food or drink at my desk or in my office - have to leave the room even to have a drink of water. Rules brought in by me and standard with the stuff I work with. I also can’t just leave the room when I want as I have to supervise anyone else in there.

I coped during pregnancy by arranging for a colleague to cover so I could leave the room and go and snack elsewhere. They were fine with that because I was pregnant. Also took the opportunity to go to the loo as that’s a bit of a nightmare during pregnancy. There’s no need for you to be snacking at your desk when there’s somewhere else provided for you to go to eat. It’s also good to get up from your desk and have a leg stretch every now and again!

Catsandkids78 · 18/07/2018 19:42

Sorry crunchymint flaming wrong poster .

The point isn’t about wether certain people can or can’t eat at their desks in their jobs .

OP stated in 1st post some people do eat at desks so her colleague is just being a dick in basic HR terminology .

This isn’t obviously an environment you cannot eat in .

MissP103 · 18/07/2018 19:42

Yanbu op. How pathetic of your colleague. Doesn't she realise that you are pregnant and it will be till the baby arrives so not a forever situation. Some people have nothing better to worry about.

Tistheseason17 · 18/07/2018 19:56

I agree with Riding.

It's a workplace not your lounge at home. Sounds like your colleague thinks you're doing less work than them as you are constantly stopping to snack. I've worked with people like this although I'm not suggesting you are, OP. Just perception from your post.

Simple workplace adjustment would be for you to ask for extra unpaid breaks, but I doubt you would like that....

violetrose18 · 18/07/2018 20:01

Explain this is as a result of worsening due to pregnancy.
If they refuse to allow you to do anything reasonable, like more breaks. Or even eating occasionally at your desk , then tell them you feel they are treating to less favourable based on your pregnancy.
Tell them it's causing you stress and this may impact you and baby

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