To have a different set of rules for myself and employees

[meelafameela]

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.

@FatGirlShrinking @user137425689631 thank you for your kindness when it was most needed

@SoddingWeddings

It's illegal.

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to provide welfare facilities for employees including access to make a hot drink, prepare hot food, sit and rest during their breaks at a table on a seat with a backrest etc.

www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/welfare.htm

And yes, it's criminal law.

Not true, and none of that is mentioned in your link.

You must provide access to drinking water, and somewhere to eat and rest (which can be their desk).

You’re massively overthinking it re the takeaway coffees. You just tell them when they are to take their break, and you take when you want to, you’re the boss.

The kitchen thing is a bit shitty though. I also am not sure how you’ve never had employees before but suddenly you’re so busy you are your husband are going to work 17 hour days, 7 days a week...

The takeaway coffee is a total non issue. You are the boss of course you can get a coffee whenever you like with no obligation to buy anyone else one. As long as your employees get a break they can buy their own coffee then.

The kitchen issue does sound divisive and unfair. I think either everyone just gets the kettle and not toaster or microwave (which is all many workplaces have anyway) or everyone gets to use it all one at a time with cleaning after. I think it will be hard to explain to an employee in such a small set up why they are being treated so differently even if it's technically allowed.

You’re the BOSS, do what you bloody like, as long as you’re meeting the legal req for staff.

We’ll surely if you have an employee with covid then them not being able to heat up last night’s dinner in the microwave won’t make a scrap of difference as to whether they pass it on to you or not.

@Brunt0n its seasonal business :)

Can you use the microwave and toaster when it is just you & your partner there or are your employees working in shifts? If you can do that then it won’t be a problem. I think it’s very thoughtful of you to be considering all of this. And your employees won’t know that you’re going out whenever to get coffee will they? They will think that is your break time if they think about it at all.

Could you put toaster and microwave in a cupboard, so you can get them out and use them when you want, but other people probably wouldn’t bother? You could allow people to use them if they take them out, use them, clean them and put them back every time.

I think when you are working alongside people doing the same work and shifts as them you apply the same working rules. Otherwise you undermine the rule. If you can pop out for a coffee without consequence why can’t anyone else. Same with the kitchen.

If you are out and about as business owners and managers then that is an acceptable difference. You are doing a different role. But I not sure people will see your offer of a coffee as being a special treat.

I wouldn’t be bothered by the gesture. I would prefer to have autonomy over when I can drink and what I can drink. But these are things you ask your employees about and respond to what they want.

Your OP makes it sound like you won't let them leave the premises even during their breaks. That would be unreasonable.

Your explanation that you mean they can't leave mid-shift is totally normal.

What would your Covid/ work rules be about offering to pick up a coffee for each?

Just to add, the Pret coffee is actually only 50p if you bring your own cup. More environmentally friendly too.

Will you be using the toaster and microwave when your employees aren't there?

sorry - meant to say for each other

Surely that's the answer to creating a friendly workplace atmosphere.

Government buildings have kitchen areas open for use, just extra hygiene in place and people can only use their allocated kitchen.

I really think the kitchen should be in use, especially over winter

Personally I would either shut it completely or let everyone use it but step up the cleaning. Just have a pack of Anti bac wipes or spray and get everyone to wipe down after they've use the equipment?

Basically yes. That would be unreasonable. When you are in charge you are leading by example. It would not set the right example to use the facilities yourself and go off site and get your own coffee and no one else’s. Also it seems odd to be able to use the kettle presumably in the same kitchen but not the microwave or toaster. In my workplace we are using these same three items in the shared kitchen and just staggering the use of the room to one at a time and wiping down with antibacterial wipes after use.

You're the owner, the big boss I would never dream of questioning you having a perk or two if I was your employee! PPs that are being mean likely have no idea what it's like to work for yourself and 120 hours pw! Imo you need a kitchen (and it's your bloody kitchen!) Someone on 25hrs PW does not.

You sound very kind and like you want to be a good boss

This thread shows that being an employer is almost as bad as being a landlord. On Mumsnet, anyway.

meelafameela, just ignore the unpleasant jealous posters who just want to be spiteful.

I’m imagining you don’t have huge numbers of employees, stagger break times and implement strict cleaning rules for kitchen area.
Good luck.

@Hollyhocksarenotmessy HSE guidance INDG293 (Google it) explicitly states that welfare facilities need to include the ability to heat food and make hot drinks. Any employer not complying with the guidance would have to demonstrate in a court of law why not doing so was reasonable. COVID-29 precautions would not be considered a reasonable excuse afaik.

@SoddingWeddings

It's illegal.

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to provide welfare facilities for employees including access to make a hot drink, prepare hot food, sit and rest during their breaks at a table on a seat with a backrest etc.

www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/welfare.htm

And yes, it's criminal law.

They don't have to have somewhere to prepare hot food:

Welfare facilities

Workers must have access to:

toilets and hand basins, with soap and towels or a hand-dryer
drinking water
a place to store clothing (and somewhere to change if special clothing is worn for work)
somewhere to rest and eat meals

That's from the link you posted.

@TrickyD

As with many landlords, small business owners don't like it when they find out that they have to obey the law.

I work for the NHS and we are still using kettle, fridge, microwave and toaster in shared kitchen areas.

We have to limit numbers, sanitise hands and wear masks.

No one expects to leave work to go and get a coffee .
Breaks if they have time they can pop up, their choice.
Also move the microwave and toaster out of the kitchen, or place in a cupboard and say not for office use .
As the boss you get coffee when ever you want, if you offer to collect for everyone say on a Friday only if they pay and you want to do that .