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.

Good Luck with the business.

I suggest, if you haven't already, you join some groups who can offer support. Employing staff, in your own business, for the first time is quite a learning curve for most people.

A good rule is to treat your staff how you'd like to be treat if you were doing their job.

If you have staff packaging your soap equivalent, I would expect your COVID risks are no higher with them safely using the kitchen than doing their jobs anyway.

Be sure you're doing what's sensible with regard to distancing, sanitising and most importantly ventilation rather than just following the guidelines.

As I said, best of luck with it all!!

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.

That's a crap business and entirely unsustainable business model. What is the longer term plan?

I work for the NHS and we have access to microwave and toaster. Only 1 person can enter the kitchen at a time. If our managers implented rules that meant they had privileges the rest of the team didn't it would seriously impact in morale. People are already very stressed and low because we are in a pandemic an in lockdown. Having access to hot food at lunchtime is helpful and people don't necessarily have the money to buy takeaway. A lot of people have had their finances compromised.

• crap and entirely unsustainable business model

@sophandbridge

Direct quote from HSE guidance indg293

"What arrangements should I make for meal breaks?

There should be a suitable seating area for workers to use during breaks _ it needs
to be clean and located where food will not get contaminated.

There should be washing facilities nearby, and a means of heating food or water for
hot drinks. You must maintain good hygiene standards."

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg293.htm

We work in the nhs in an office and they haven't closed down our kitchen. We all use it. The rule is one at a time in the kitchen. And to clean down after use. Why don't you do this? Keep a pack of virusolve wipes in there for people to wipe the area down. We do! And we are more at risk working where we are.

Of course if OP can ensure that means of getting hot food are readily available nearby then there is a justification for not providing the provision on site. However most employers do.

As long as the kitchen is properly ventilated and only one person is using it at a time, it shouldn’t be a risk to have it open. But in answer to your question, I think everyone should access to the same facilities.

Sounds like you're running a sweatshop

The insane responses that you've had here!
Good luck with your business, I think your plan sounds fine. It has been a tough year for businesses, I think people don't value them enough.

I think it's a good thing that you're asking these questions, it shows you to be a caring employer!

Regarding coffee - as an employee I really wouldn't think anything off it if my boss took their "break" on an ad hoc basis to nip to Costa. In fact where I work it's completely common to see my boss pop out between meetings for a coffee etc. They don't get a normal break like I do so it all works out.

The kitchen facilities thing, I'd be a bit miffed if only certain people could use the toaster/microwave. I'd suggest either no-one can use them or everyone can, with strict rules about cleaning and only one person at any one time.

I don't honestly understand why the microwave has to go - if you ask people to wipe down the pad/dial after use. But then I've worked places without one, or places where I wouldn't use it if you paid me due to the habits of other employees.

But going out for coffee one a day when you feel like it vs them having to wait for breaks - sure! You're the boss! Of course you can!

Who exactly told you this? Who advised you to not let employees use the toaster and microwave?
It's unfair not to allow employees this while you and your partner use them.
Kitchens can be managed safely, one at a time using the kitchen, hand sanitise and use disinfectant wipes after every use.

Also, in most office environments I’ve worked in, nobody minded people going out for a coffee. It wasn’t their lunch break, it was just a normal part of the working day (taking a 5 minute break).

You are the boss. If you want to pop out every day for a coffee then that is absolutely your right, and no you are not in any way obliged to buy coffee for your staff!

However it would be terrible of you to use the kitchen and not allow them to, as others have said, you just minimise how many can enter at one time, ensure staff wear masks and that it is cleaned down between uses. Staggered breaks might be helpful to achieve this.

Good luck with your business, sounds very busy but exciting!

You have to provide a canteen of sorts for breaks, Yabu and you know you are.

thank you for your responses and advice everyone :)

The fact that you actually care OP shows you are a nice boss.

You could keep the kitchen open, set up rule of one person at a time, wipes to clean down touch points after themselves.

60 staff per shift were I work. 2 very small kitchen areas. Microwaves, toasters, kettles and fridges. Hands are washed before entering. Touch points cleaned by cleaners every half an hour. No masks worn and no restrictions on numbers entering.

It's a bloody covid site! We are not allowed to leave (12hr shift) so yes people get pissed off when the boss swans off to Maccies and comes back with food and coffee for the chosen few.

I see no reason to close the kitchen. In my office (8 employees, 3 bubbles) we have a 1 at a time in the kitchen rule and we have to wipe the microwave & kettle down). Heated food is very low risk.

If I was your employee I’d probably bring my own toaster & microwave as I don’t like sandwiches much so have egg or beans on toast for lunch most days.

We can use everything in our office providing we clean it down after every use.

So you can swan off whenever you want but your employees can't and you won't even pick up coffees for them (which they could pay for). Yes that's unreasonable.
You and your partner can use the kitchen as much as you want but not them. Yes that's unreasonable.
I get you are there long hours but it's your business, that's the price you pay. Just use the kitchen when they've gone home.
Taking the piss as a boss just means your staff will walk.

Is that 120h between you or each?

You will make your employees really resentful towards you. It doesn’t matter what hours you work compared to them, all they will see is you and your partner having exclusive use of the microwave/toaster that they are not allowed.

Also, you can go out for a coffee but they can’t? Is that even legal? You can’t dictate to them how they spend their breaks just because you pay them. You could be bringing COVID back with you.

Good for you paying a living wage but honestly saying they will be earning more than you is rubbish. They are making a profit for your business, you are taking a hit now for future gains.

In my workplace we have a limited number allowed in the tea room at any one time and we are asked to wear masks while not seated. We wipe the tables down after use, can you not do this? Your arrangement sounds Victorian.

You sound like an absolute nightmare to work for. I really feel sorry for your employees.

One at a time rule at my office. Sanitiser on way in, may use microwave, kettle, cutlery, etc. Anti-bac wipe everything on way out. And wash up own things later, process.

However, most staff are bringing a thermos, mug, lunch and cutlery from home at present. It seems more sensible and cuts out a risk.