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.

I wouldn't buy them a takeaway coffee every day. Provide tea bags instead if you want to be generous. Employees can make a drink or go and buy one during their break. They don't need to have hot drinks between breaks.

I think you need to choose between closing the kitchen to all or opening to all. I don't see why the kitchen is higher risk than the toilets so I would just open it. But if you don't want to, don't use it yourself either.

My work kitchen is small and open, we just have to wear masks and distance. No need to shut it.

Sorry, but you sound a bit bonkers!

Is it more that you are scared your workers will pass COVID onto you, rather than that you are trying to protect them?

Just silly to be honest...Put some hand gel and wipes in that kitchen and ask people to sanitise and then clean up after themselves & limit the number of people who can use the space at one time. That is all you need to do.

Meh, tbh, I think it's fine. If I were your employee, I might be a little irritated if you used the kitchen and went to get a coffee while I was there, yet said I couldn't, but it would be a minor irritation, and if I knew the background (that you're working long hours at reduced pay), I think I'd get over it very quickly.

To me, you're the owner. It's not shocking that rules are slightly different for you than for your employees, even if it's not usually quite so glaring as in this situation. However, if you can avoid using the kitchen when the employees are there, that would probably be best. After all, they're only there for 25 hours vs your 120 hours.

so many people haven't read the thread

My team can do what they like on their breaks including getting take away coffee

My team at the moment have access to a kettle and the sink

I was advised to close off all the kitchen appliances for COVID reasons but after seeing what others are doing here feel more confident allowing my employees to use the kitchen one at at time.

I wasn't cutting off the kitchen because I wanted to be an arse hole and have it for myself, I was advised to by my friend who is a health and safety advisor, so I was following direction. She felt my team would feel safer this way.

Since I am here 120h a week, yes I work insane hours. I am always hungry and exhausted. I thought it would be no difference if only two people from the same bubble (my partner and i) made toast, otherwise we wouldn't get a proper meal. All employees are part time and I would be using it after they had all gone home. I thought if no-one else was using it and they had gone so wouldn't know, there would be low risk of contamination so it wouldn't make people feel less safe, or as if they didn't matter. I thought I would understand in the reverse circumstance. I put this here because my priority is feeling like I have a united team and I wouldn't want to divide the team.

It is a shame lots of people have read this and assumed I am malicious and uncaring. I am very decent to my employees with decent pay, working environment, and following all guidelines.

I am also young, and very inexperienced. I hoped I could get friendly guidance from others. It has saddened me that people who disagree are so angry and passionate about it. You can disagree in a more helpful way. Is this platform always like this or am I just the worst boss to have ever existed in some peoples minds?

Post on the legal board instead of AIBU and post without calling attention to how hard you have it and how upsetting you find it.
If you can't manage employees without it causing you personal upset and stress, pay someone else to do it.

Working short term contracts is stressful enough without having to manage your employers feelings as well.

How many employees have you got, is it feasable for them to share the kitchen? Our office are allowed 4 people in the building at a time by pre arragement, there is drinking water, a kettle, toaster and microwave. You are allowed in the kitchen one at a time to use the appliances but must wipe everything down and not allowed to make a cuppa for anyone else, you are not allowed to sit in there and have to eat at your desk. There is no other rest space but you can go out for a walk during your break.

I think if there is only 3 you can safely leave the kitchen open with cleaning supplies etc.
No kettle or microwaves in my large office but lots of people would be sharing.
Very best of luck to you and your partner.

If you are having to work over 17hours EVERY DAY, and you cannot afford (i assume) to hire another person to take some of the load, then your business looks like it is not viable

Some of the replies on this thread are utter drivel
A sweatshop?!

What’s this thing about only eating toast? You have a microwave, use it for meals!