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

[GlassyPinkP]

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?

...employees’ desks

One rather super, substantially high earning and very famous games co regularly do a trolley service to their employees desks at crunch time (no pun intended).

The company I work for is not in that league, but is fairly large with 4,000 employees. We get breakfast delivered to our desks, a fruit trolley, and lots of people eat lunch at their desks, too. It's one of the best companies I've worked for in terms of morale, atmosphere, and employee happiness.

Funny how none of the 4,000 seem to have misphonia and yet 75% of people on this thread do.

employees’ desks

Steady on. With that level of cutting edge response you’ll do yourself a mischief

We get breakfast delivered to our desks, a fruit trolley, and lots of people eat lunch at their desks, too. It's one of the best companies I've worked for in terms of morale, atmosphere, and employee happiness

Yup. Funny how the petty rules don’t engender a culture of wanting to perform isn’t it?

@TopWorrier, I left a company because of the way my manager treated me when my Dad died. When he was taken to hospital she wouldn't let me leave until she found a replacement and then wanted me in the following day as she was short staffed. I had zero respect for her and the way she treated people.

I believe you should treat people how you want to be treated yourself.

Sounds like he realised it could be taken as trying to force you out of the job because of your pregnancy. He was completely ridiculous to bring a frivolous complaint to you, that's nothing more than bullying.

You'd love it here then, I've just been in a meeting with two directors and several other members of staff and we were eating chocolate Hobnobs while we were talking!...No, I work for a large company with normal managers who treat their staff like human beings unlike your company @SunShades.

Next time I go into a meeting with my manager, the Principal or parent (I'm a teacher) I might try that Pinksparkly.
I'll tell them that by allowing me to eat my chocolate hobnobs, they are treating me like a human being and not a robot.
I'll let you know how that goes.

I might even take to eating a packet or two into class. Can't do any harm.

Yup. Funny how the petty rules don’t engender a culture of wanting to perform isn’t it?
This is very encouraging! I'm going to give it a go... the question is, when I'm in meetings or class, do I offer SLT/ parents/ outside agency staff/pupils a biscuit?

What on Earth is wrong with having a drink and a biscuit in an internal meeting? We actually provide biscuits if we have visitors sometimes...

This is very encouraging! I'm going to give it a go... the question is, when I'm in meetings or class, do I offer SLT/ parents/ outside agency staff/pupils a biscuit?

Sure. Works at DD’s school.

The lovely kindergarten teacher was pregnant and basically spent 9 months eating in class. Funnily enough the world didn’t end

Sure. Works at DD’s school. The lovely kindergarten teacher was pregnant and basically spent 9 months eating in class. Funnily enough the world didn’t end

High school here. Students aren't allowed to eat in class or on corridors - they are given a sanction if they do. I don't think it would go down well if I chomped my way through snacks at the front of the room

High school here. Students aren't allowed to eat in class or on corridors - they are given a sanction if they do. I don't think it would go down well if I chomped my way through snacks at the front of the room

Some schools are a different world. DD is moving to secondary in September. If they miss break/lunch they’re encouraged to eat a snack whilst learning.

Jacques
Food outside the dining hall/designated areas is banned.
We had a seagull/pigeon/vermin problem due to all the litter.
Common litter on corridors included crushed crisps, discarded sandwiches & spilt drinks.
For some reason licking gummy sweets before throwing them against displays to see if they stick was a trend, as was shaking bottles of coke vigorously and watching the contents explode all over the place. It was fun to crush entire packets of biscuits or crisps and tip the contents directly into their mouth (and onto the floor).
Hence the ban on food.

Just to add, this is at an OFSTED 'outstanding' school!

@MoonsAndJunes

Ah! None of that seems to be an issue where DD is going or I presume they wouldn’t invite pupils to make use of the rule. Its an all girls’ school and they place a lot of emphasis on the pastoral side so “if you need to eat during a period” etc. It all seems very lovely 😊

When I was at school our dining hall served toasted tea cakes and cream teas. Now they need plates

*jacques : It all seems very lovely 😊
It does sound lovely!

Our canteen sells toasted tea cakes but no cream teas! I might suggest it haha!

I'd like to see them try this rule in my office!

MoonsandJunes

We all lived for summer! The cream teas and the strawberries and cream during Wimbledon, together with viewing stations set up for those who wanted to watch. Happy days!