To think it’s unreasonable not to have a kitchen at work.

[Jessiesmilkshake]

Just that really. Where I work ( office/reception) there is no kitchen facilities eg fridge or kettle. I like my job but it’s a massive pain the arse that I can’t make a cup of tea in the morning or put food in a fridge or use microwave something warm.

AIBU?

You're paid to work, not cook.

I mean thats a given that you are paid to work (some people) but to not provide basic essentials is very unreasonable.

You are not a robot. How would they like it.

I work in a school and the staffroom has been closed for this year. It's definitely a pain. I get round it by taking a large bottle of squash, a flask of tea and a flask of soup. Everything else is kept in a lunch box with ice blocks. It's not ideal but it's better than nothing! Good luck

Is it a small space? Maybe they don’t want food/coffee smells wafting through the place.

In the whole building!? Is there a shop or canteen or anything?
I get you can't have a kettle on reception but surely there could be one somewhere.
Doesn't this country run on tea YANBU

Oh wise up @Ifailed. Most people have the odd cup of tea at work if they're office based. And what about on her lunch break? A shitty employer who won't provide a fucking kettle (£5 in asda) definitely doesn't pay meal breaks.

OP, YANBU. I have had many jobs in different sectors and I can't remember any where I couldn't access a bloody cup of tea.

Ifailed most people unless they have very short shifts have mandatory unpaid breaks to have food/drinks.

YANBU to want some basic facilities. Unfortunately your employer does not have to provide it. They are obliged to provide drinking water and a space to eat food though, do you have that at least? Could you bring your own kettle in?

@Ifailed

You're paid to work, not cook.

Yeah, heaven forbid the automaton takes a couple of minutes to make a hot drink. Bad automaton.

We’ve also not had any shared facilities since last March. It could be a temporary thing (Although my first point stands... The constant smell of other people’s food and coffee is grim).

It is unusual.

It is not unreasonable.

I don't see why you need a kitchen to have a drink or eat something? Do what most people do, eat at your desk, or go outside.

@Ifailed

You're paid to work, not cook.

Well aren't you just lovely. Do you also feel this way about people using toilets? I mean, they're paid to work, not pee...

Of course it's reasonable to expect at least a kettle and a mini fridge, if anything it's likely to save them some money because people are less likely to go out and buy lunch, and it's good for retention, because it's these little things that make you feel welcome as an employee.

If it's down to covid then I think it's hard because shared kitchens are a risk, but like.a pp said, a flask etc could be the answer for now. Outside that, I think yanbu.

It’s incredibly miserly of the workplace not to provide a microwave (£30) kettle (£10) and small fridge (£100) for the staff to use.
Is there a staff canteen, OP? Or are you stuck with no catering provision at all?
I wouldn’t work anywhere that meant I couldn’t get a cup of tea or keep my sandwiches fresh. As a retired anaesthetist, I can vouch that even operating theatre suites have well equipped staff kitchens!

I don’t think toilets are comparable to kitchen facilities!
Toilets- No (acceptable) alternative 😳
No kitchen - Many options!

I thought there was a law that states if you work over a certain number of hours then facilities must be provided for hot food/drinks ( kettle and microwave at least)

Every office I've worked in has had a small kitchen, with a kettle/hot water facility, a fridge and a microwave. That is rubbish.

Buy a kettle pls, take flask or cool bag, sorted, take your own coffee in

OP can't just buy a kettle and plug it in, it will have to PAT tested.

It would be preferable but I have made do with flasks before. Is there any space to put a microwave and kettle?

There is a store room that could be changed I suppose but the only running water is in the bathroom so I’d have to fill the kettle up in there. We are supplied with free bottled water.

It used to be a clothes shop that the new owners bought so wasn’t really made to have a kitchen I suppose

Even if there's no space, they could provide a kettle or coffee machine at the very least. Plus maybe a microwave. Have you asked for these things and what did management say?

Fridge is a nice to have but not essential. Food that's going to be eaten at lunchtime doesn't need to go in the fridge, just use a coolbag and ice packs in warmer weather.

If it's only a small office, just buy whatever milk will be used in a working day, so no worries about it going off if there's no fridge.

Is this how it's always been or have facilities been removed due to covid?

Do they have no plans to put a kitchen in? A small basic one wouldn't cost much and would boost staff morale.

Its sounds quite small. How many people work there