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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU thinking this is theft?

74 replies

bakedbeanz1 · 27/02/2022 14:39

A petty one but settle a debate.

DH worked for a small company that got taken over by a much bigger one last year. The new boss is very generous to staff and has bought them a coffee machine that takes pod refills. He has a subscription service and the refills arrive in bulk. DH doesn't drink coffee but we have the same type of machine at home and he's been slipping pods in his bag every day and bringing them home for me.

I said its theft, as its meant to be for him to drink coffees in the office. DH says he's 'only' taking one a day when his colleagues are drinking up to four coffees during the working day.

YABU- he could easily be using more at work if he drank coffee.
YANBU- they are clearly for the office.

OP posts:
Chestofdraws · 27/02/2022 16:54

Sorry that should say the boss is likely to say no, not unlikely.

Pandai · 27/02/2022 16:56

Meh I wouldn't get worked up about it unless they provide an alternative for him like juice so he has that at work as well- doubtful though.

maddy68 · 27/02/2022 16:58

It's theft. If I found any of my employees doing this it would certainly be a disciplinary

goingtotown · 27/02/2022 17:00

I'm with you. It's thieving.

Aprilx · 27/02/2022 17:00

I wouldn’t start disciplinary process over it but I would think secreting out one coffee pod a day is pathetic and embarrassing. There is no need is there.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 27/02/2022 17:01

Petty and ridiculous (your husband!)

Jonagirl · 27/02/2022 17:03

I mean sometimes you just have to think "what would happen if I were caught" and the answer to this is that while he probably wouldn't be fired people would think he was super odd and laugh at him, like "that idiot was caught stealing coffee, he doesn't even drink coffee it was for his wife, what a tight bastard, scarlet for him", is that worth it for coffee pod he won't drink and you don't think he should take? Not a hope, tell him not to be so tight

Associatepeggy · 27/02/2022 17:06

That's just so weird.

Are you struggling to buy the pods? If not, it's really weird and quite petty.

I find people who look at the smallest office perk of their job and then have to have their cut of it, even though they don't want it weird. .
We had woman at work who take a bottle of milk home every week, because she didn't have it in tea or coffee. She hated that people 'get more than me'. I mean ffs.

Worriedmama32 · 27/02/2022 17:07

We are considering taking away a similar perk in our office as certain people are taking the piss and what started as a nice gesture is now starting to cost the company significantly more than intended

Associatepeggy · 27/02/2022 17:09

Also if he really thinks igs fine why doesn't he walk out with 20-25 pods a month all I'm one go? Say the delivery is once a month, does he say "oh 25 of those are for my wife".

Why is he slipping one out a day?

Because he knows it weird and or knows they wouldn't be happy.

D0lphine · 27/02/2022 17:09

Why would he even do this? Don't pods cost pennies? Such a pointless thing to steal

He is probably thinking that it's the same as office stationary- sometimes a biro and a note book make their way home.

But it's not really ok is it?

If it was ok he wouldn't have to "sneak" them home. He would just take them in full view of his boss.

Gilly12345 · 27/02/2022 17:10

Just because he doesn’t drink coffee at work then it is petty to bring the pod(s) home.

If anyone noticed and mentions it then it really is not worth it or the embarrassment.

He sounds like he is a grabby person.

Associatepeggy · 27/02/2022 17:11

@Worriedmama32

We are considering taking away a similar perk in our office as certain people are taking the piss and what started as a nice gesture is now starting to cost the company significantly more than intended
I worked somewhere where they stopped the fruit baskets because of all the trouble they caused. People xpunting hoe much fruit others had, then taking the same amount home. People complaining Barbara, always took all the satsumas. Or Paul would come in early on the days it was delivered and pick through them all.
tiggergoesbounce · 27/02/2022 17:14

He knows it wrong if he is "slipping" them in his bag for noone else to see.

Dont take the piddle out of an employer trying to do a nice thing

AntiHop · 27/02/2022 17:15

I had a similar issue at work. Milk was provided for the office. I didn't use milk in my drinks at the time, but I used it in my cereal that I ate on arrival at work. My boss decided I wasn't allowed to, as the milk was just for drinks, even though I never used it for drinks. So she definitely wouldn't approve of your husband's actions

Goatinthegarden · 27/02/2022 17:20

It’s just totally against the spirit of things.

It would be embarrassing if he was caught - people would gossip about him and potentially stop trusting him.

Luckingfovely · 27/02/2022 17:22

It's just wrong. You can make a logical argument for doing it, but not a moral one. He sounds like an utter dick.

Redlorryyellowduck · 27/02/2022 17:23

He would look like an absolute tool of he got caught. It's very obviously against the principle of his boss being generous.
Is he always such a twit?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/02/2022 17:26

Technically it's theft, but I really wouldn't care if I knew a colleague was taking one pod a day home, especially when others probably using a pod an hour at work.

GreenTeaPingPong · 27/02/2022 17:27

Strictly it's wrong, but I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist about it, as the company saves money by him not using any at work.

DuchessofAnkh1 · 27/02/2022 17:32

@D0lphine

Why would he even do this? Don't pods cost pennies? Such a pointless thing to steal

He is probably thinking that it's the same as office stationary- sometimes a biro and a note book make their way home.

But it's not really ok is it?

If it was ok he wouldn't have to "sneak" them home. He would just take them in full view of his boss.

about 40p a piece, if they are nespresso. So just shy of £10 of coffee a month.
Butchyrestingface · 27/02/2022 17:35

DH doesn't drink coffee but we have the same type of machine at home and he's been slipping pods in his bag every day and bringing them home for me.

Surely, if you think it's wrong, the obvious solution is that you tell him you won't be drinking them and therefore there's no point in him stealing bringing them home for you? Confused

Chestofdraws · 27/02/2022 17:37

Is he having tea or other hot drinks op?

Although I’m not sure why I’m even asking, it’s so petty and cringe, what’s even the point of it. It’s like stealing a few sheets of loo roll because you didn’t take a shit that day.

RealBecca · 27/02/2022 17:39

I really dont think the boss will care unless other people complain.

It's a subscription. Theres a finite amount. Boss isnt paying more or less whether your husband has one or not. They might just run out sooner.

CastleCrasher · 27/02/2022 17:43

I'm embarrassed for him! What a thing to make yourself a thief for. I used to provide posh biscuits/cupcakes etc in my office for meetings. Kept a good stock, everyone knew to help themselves, whether in for a formal visit or just a ten minute chat. Until I realised that one person was regularly nipping in when I was out to take a handful to bring home. (Not a money issue, just pure greed). That was the end of that, he spoiled it for everyone.