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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a different set of rules for myself and employees

137 replies

meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:27

I run a seasonal business for example making soap gift sets (very similar but what I do is niche and outing)

I run this with my partner and we have just got to the point of hiring for the first time after running this for 3 years.

In order to hire my partner and I will have to take a big pay cut to the point where we will live on bare minimum and all of our employees packing the soaps will be on significantly more than us.

My partner and I will work for the next 4 weeks 120h a week.

Due to COVID we have been recommended to close the office kitchen so the microwave, toaster, fridge will be out of use. In usual times we would be happy everyone using, but due to COVID we want to reduce cross contamination. We want a rule where the office kitchen is closed to employees. But my partner and I still want to use these. Is this being unreasonable.

My one treat a day is to buy a take away coffee. I can leave at any point during the day to get this, but I can't give my employees that same flexibility. I also can't afford to ask them if they would like a coffee. They will have breaks to do as they wish but they can't just leave whenever to get a take away coffee. Is this being unreasonable? Employees are all around 25 hours a week.They will all still have access to the kettle.

OP posts:
Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:49

@InTheLongGrass yes we can

OP posts:
ApocalypseNow · 22/11/2020 11:49

I don't think that would be fair. All the kitchen facilities have been kept open at my work, there's just fewer of us allowed in at one time and extra cleaning materials available. I work at a large university so this is all risk assessed etc.

Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:50

@FMyUterus for paying our employees the living wage and covering all legal health and safety requirements? Cutting of appliances in the kitchen is for COVID safety not because I am Scrooge.

OP posts:
Littlescottiedog · 22/11/2020 11:50

The microwave in our staff room has been removed but we can still use the kettle. I think this was recommendation from the government as I know many other places where this is the same. Some legislation has been superceded by the Covid stuff. If I wasn't on my phone I could have a proper look.

But yes, if your employees are not allowed out to get a takeaway coffee and you are, or if they see you microwaving lunch and they're not allowed, that's unfair. If you're there 120 hours a week then just use it at times they're not there, then put it away again before they next come in.

As for not allowing them to get a takeaway on their breaks... Are you allowed to restrict them in this way?

goosebumps · 22/11/2020 11:51

I think that as long as your staff have access to a kettle and somewhere to sit I'm sure they'll understand why the kitchen is shut. Maybe if you could buy a very small and cheap fridge for sandwiches etc to be kept that would help. Then they will have their area and you will have yours. If they're only at work for 25 hours a week a kettle, somewhere to sit and a fridge would be fine in these covid circumstances.

Whammyyammy · 22/11/2020 11:51

You sound like wonderful, caring employer's.

Crappyfridays7 · 22/11/2020 11:52

You could make toast etc when your employees aren’t there take a packed lunch for when they are & offer to pick up coffee for them when you go for yours but make it clear it’s not on you.

We still use our work kitchen, no toaster but we do have 2 microwaves but it’s all wiped down and kept clean food is covered. Not sure how the these are different from the kettle & other communal areas Just take turns keeping everything wiped and clean & make sure employees are washing hands/wearing masks in appropriate places etc

Yesmate · 22/11/2020 11:52

You don’t sound very nice to work for to be honest.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 22/11/2020 11:53

I think its a bit of a piss take tbh and where are they supposed to keep their lunch if they can't access the fridge?

I think its either out of use or it isn't. You would be very unreasonable to have one rule for you and another for them. Why don't you just implement a rule of wipe down everything you touch straight away? Keep door open so they don't have to touch the handles and as soon as the finish with the toaster etc they grab a paper towel and Dettol and clean it.

Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:53

@Littlescottiedog they are allowed to get a take away but only on their breaks not just at random during the middle of a shift. Whereas I can go at any time I like. But I have never had employees before last week so I don't know if it is unreasonable or if it would be expected for me to buy the office a round of takeaway coffees?

OP posts:
Hopoindown31 · 22/11/2020 11:54

I would recommend that if the kitchen is shut it is shut. As directors you need to lead by example here. If you don't your employees may decide that they fancy cutting corners and ignoring healthy and safety in other areas.

Remember that the maximum standard you can expect to achieve is the minimum standard you will accept. That includes your own behaviour.

lobsteroll · 22/11/2020 11:55

Why can't you buy a cheap kettle/toaster for them to use?

SoddingWeddings · 22/11/2020 11:57

[quote meelafameela]@Littlescottiedog they are allowed to get a take away but only on their breaks not just at random during the middle of a shift. Whereas I can go at any time I like. But I have never had employees before last week so I don't know if it is unreasonable or if it would be expected for me to buy the office a round of takeaway coffees?[/quote]
This doesn't resemble your original list, but makes far more sense.

Yes, your employees should have set breaks.

Yes, it's ok for you to be coming and going as the owner of the company. Will you have any supervision on site if you go out?

The kitchen is a red herring.

Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:58

I am sad everyone thinks I am an uncaring employer when I am trying my upmost to pay a decent wage, create a lovely office environment, and make everyone feel safe with covid.

I have anxiety so I overthink things

OP posts:
FMyUterus · 22/11/2020 11:59

@meelafameela how are you going to say to your employees 'no sorry you can't have access to a microwave but we can, you can't leave to get a takeaway coffee but oh look here's mine, you can't leave to get any hot food but oh look I'm going to use the kitchen that you can't use'

How are you going to prevent your employees from leaving to get themselves hot food/ a takeaway coffee? You sound like a shit boss and I'm glad I don't work for you

Brunt0n · 22/11/2020 11:59

You’ve been quite aggressive in manner in your responses so for that reason YABU

Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 11:59

@lobsteroll they will still have access to the kettle. There is a toaster but we were recommended to close it off along with the microwave due to covid.

OP posts:
MarchionessofActon · 22/11/2020 11:59

How are you working out 120pw?! So you work 24 hours a day over 5 days? Or 17 hours over 7?

Littlescottiedog · 22/11/2020 11:59

[quote meelafameela]@Littlescottiedog they are allowed to get a take away but only on their breaks not just at random during the middle of a shift. Whereas I can go at any time I like. But I have never had employees before last week so I don't know if it is unreasonable or if it would be expected for me to buy the office a round of takeaway coffees?[/quote]
Why would they expect to be able to go out and get a takeaway in the middle of their shift?! It's one thing to make a round of coffees in the office kitchen at random times, but to leave the building to go to a coffee shop just wouldn't cross my mind. You're the boss and I wouldn't be sitting there watching you with your takeaway coffee thinking "It's not her break, is it? Why does she have that coffee?" Whenever you got it would be your break fine. I think you're over-thinking that one!

FatGirlShrinking · 22/11/2020 12:00

I feel a bit like I'm going insane reading this thread.

Just to reframe, would I as an employee complain in this situation.

' I work 5 hrs a day 5 days a week and am provided a seating area, kettle and drinking water to enjoy my break, I'm paid living wage and am able to leave site to pick up a snack or fancy drink if I like dur8ng my scheduled break.

My employer works 7 days a week, 17 hours a day. Is it fair that they are allowed to take their 15 min break whenever they like, that they don't buy me a free coffee every day and that they have access to a microwave and toaster. I mean I know that they eat all their meals at work while I'm at home having a proper cooked breakfast and dinner, but if they have a toaster, shouldn't I too???'

Seriously, anyone who complained about their employer in that situation would have to be an overly entitled twazzock surely!

user137425689631 · 22/11/2020 12:01

Confused How has the op been aggressive?!

The people saying it sounds like a sweatshop are being nasty and ridiculous.

Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 12:01

@Brunt0n I think you are projecting I feel very vulnerable. I am a very quite person who is easily taken advantage of so I am trying to get stronger now I am a boss and I want to be fair so I am asking here to make sure what I do is fair.

@FMyUterus they are allowed take away coffees I just don't want everyone disappearing during their shifts. They have breaks where they can get these. I wanted to see if it was unreasonable to request employees don't leave to get a coffee takeaway during their shift

OP posts:
Original poster
meelafameela · 22/11/2020 12:02

@MarchionessofActon I work 7 days a week

OP posts:
user137425689631 · 22/11/2020 12:02

FatGirlShrinking Exactly!

HotPatootiebootie · 22/11/2020 12:03

How many employees will you have?

You are totally overthinking this.

They will have access to hot water OR they can bring a flash OR they can get take away on break.

They will have access to a seat to enjoy their home made lunch OR they can go out and get lunch at the allotted time.

They will have access to toilets .

Your obligations have been met.