Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Alone at lunchtime

87 replies

leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:06

We have recently moved business premises and I am the only one in the office so can't go out for lunch and have no one to chat to (I'm a chatty person). There is another office next door (same owner, different company which I used to work for so know all the staff & I usually go there at lunchtime) where they are all sitting chatting for lunchtime - AIBU to think one of them could have popped in to see me for a chat/coffee/make sure I'm not dead?

OP posts:
Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:38

@CrispsAndDip I don't actually but I've been here on my own since 7:30 this morning, not a soul has come in, the phone hasn't rung once, there's no internet and I'm bored but the boss will moan if I'm sitting chatting next door just in case the phone rings here

@MarthasGinYard I didn't know I was going to be on my own all day but we've had a couple of people call in sick and the other staff are still at the old office

OP posts:
diddl · 15/08/2018 13:39

If you usually go there at lunhtime, is it just today that you can't?

WhentheDealGoesDown · 15/08/2018 13:39

Is this every day or just today because surely legally you are entitled to a 30 minute break from the office for lunch

Aloethere · 15/08/2018 13:40

There's no internet set up yet so no chance of watching videos etc - I can't even browse the web, I am literally sitting here all day with very little work to do and no one to talk to but can't leave in case the phone rings.

I don't understand? You are posting here so obviously can browse the web?

MarthasGinYard · 15/08/2018 13:40

I'm stunned quite frankly

Are you six?

WhentheDealGoesDown · 15/08/2018 13:41

How do you go to the toilet if you can’t leave

MarthasGinYard · 15/08/2018 13:42

'don't understand? You are posting here so obviously can browse the web?'

Quite

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:42

Surely you can't be expected not to have a break or leave the office all day? What happens when you're on leave?
(I realise that this is not answering your question!)

Yes that is exactly what my boss expects

When I'm on leave the place goes to shit to be honest - but we are short staffed today so I wouldn't usually be on my own for this length of time.

& for those suggesting that I'm not welcome in the other office at lunchtime - there are no issues with that, I actually get on great with the guys in there but they're obviously inconsiderate twats Wink

OP posts:
aaarrrggghhhh · 15/08/2018 13:42

I thought this was going to be about a primary school child.

Because that is the appropriate developmental age for thinking this.

LighthouseSouth · 15/08/2018 13:44

you go into their office and chat? do they like that?

llangennith · 15/08/2018 13:44

I thought maybe I'd missed the point of this thread but it really is OP moaning about being in work all day and alone at lunchtime. You don't need WiFi to read a book on your phone via Kindle.
You'll survive.

havingabadhairday · 15/08/2018 13:44

Posting on her phone?

If I was in the other office I'd probably have popped my head round the door and said hello at some point. Why wouldn't you do that if someone you knew was working next door?

Nicknacky · 15/08/2018 13:45

This thread is bizarre. It wouldn't occur to me to come see you in case you were lonely.

INeedNewShoes · 15/08/2018 13:45

It sounds like this is a one-off. Just enjoy the peace and quiet and get the day done.

Out of sight, out of mind: it most likely wouldn't even occur to the people in the other office as they'll be busy doing their own things and even if they did realise you were on your own they would probably assume that you'd be absolutely fine to while away your lunch hour as most adults can.

FatCow2018 · 15/08/2018 13:46

Jesus, just bring a book in and be done with it!! Its absolutely not their problem that you are on your own and no they shouldn't feel obligated to come and check on you!

Your manager should do a lone -working risk assessment, it IS his responsibility.

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:46

using the app on my phone which if I sit in the same & don't move place picks up a weak 3G signal

How do you go to the toilet if you can’t leave I can go to the toilet because I can hear the phone from there

If you usually go there at lunhtime, is it just today that you can't? hopefully it's just for the day but that depends on the staff who called in sick not calling in sick again tomorrow

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 15/08/2018 13:49

The problem is that you are expecting the people in the other office to behave as you would do. People are different, it hasn't occurred to them that you might be bored and in need of company - why would it?

If you can pop in to see them then do that and get on with your day.

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:53

*Jesus, just bring a book in and be done with it!! Its absolutely not their problem that you are on your own and no they shouldn't feel obligated to come and check on you!

Your manager should do a lone -working risk assessment, it IS his responsibility.*

& I will bring the ipad tomorrow knowing that it's a possibility but I didn't know until 8am that no one else would be in today. My manager doing a lone working risk assessment is hilarious as I said the shitty working conditions are a whole other thread

OP posts:
Thehop · 15/08/2018 13:58

That’s what I thought Ursula.

WhentheDealGoesDown · 15/08/2018 13:59

You should be able to go to the toilet in peace, you can't get up mid shit to answer the phone surely. Grin

gower4 · 15/08/2018 14:06

Play "I spy with my little eye" against yourself

Glumglowworm · 15/08/2018 14:07

They probably thought an adult would be able to cope on their own for a few hours.

You do sound very needy! Bring a book tomorrow in case the same thing happens.

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 14:10

Whilst I personally wouldn't shit at work I am aware that I am legally entitled to a lunch break etc but today it's not possible and we are all expected to deal with customers during our lunch every day boss will have gone out of the office to ensure he got his lunch though

It probably doesn't help that I'm starving as I didn't bring lunch today as I can usually nip out & pick something up thank god there is plenty of the good coffee Grin

OP posts:
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 15/08/2018 14:15

I cannot imagine a world where I would be worried about a person in the business next door being by themselves for ONE DAY. Not even at home or anything, just in an office, where they are employed. OP, sorry, I think this is borderline nuts.

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/08/2018 14:17

Why didn’t you ring one of them and ask them to come and keep you company? Seeing as you’re so in need for human company an’ all.

Swipe left for the next trending thread