Colleague constantly eating all the time

[shewhoisnotme]

We share a desk.

She comes in at 9. Usually a McDonald's breakfast bun of some kind

Snacks on cake, sausage rolls, meats 🍰

Lunch is chicken and chips, McDonald's, KFC. Loads of crisps for a snack after at her desk

AIBU to be annoyed? She is constantly eating! The drums drive me up the wall. They edge onto my side

I would Complain to Manager and show them how dirty and unhygienic it is

Ask them to pass a policy of no eating at your desk, must go to break or side room designated

It's amazing how much time she won't be working if she's eating that often and that much. You can't type properly whilst eating and should not try to do so

She'll also be ruining her keyboard if she eats crumbly food over it
When she's not there (give her an errand to do, if you can!!) tip her keyboard upside down to show manager

I think attitudes in the work place have changed so much over the years that eating at your desk is now seen as the 'norm' .. probably to save employers money by not providing proper rest areas (or even subsidised lunches which used to be a thing) and not encouraging an hour's break to eat lunch, get some fresh air and leave the building. Remember luncheon vouchers?

So many people (understandably) want to work compressed hours or just have really stressful jobs that means they can't get a break ... but this leads to eating at your desk. And any 'etiquette' about what is appropriate to eat in front of other people is seemingly non existent these days.

I am so glad I no longer work in an office.

Baffled that someone with this phobia would even click on this thread!

Why is it baffling? Do YOU get sound on your mumsnet page?

Get a can of air freshener and spray liberally every time she starts eating hot food

Do I get “sound”? Confused

Is that honesty what you take from the OP?!

I would not be impressed if I came to visit a company and the receptionist was eating at their desk.Food belongs in the staff room not the work space. She sounds revolting.

Using a phone mouthpiece after someone has been eating anything is gross. I used to work with a grazer who ate tuna and smoked frequently. It was rank. You have my sympathy OP

I'm sorry but I would be judging her. And I eat breakfast at my desk and sometimes lunch, but I choose non smelly things, don't leave a mess and it's done and dusted within a short finite amount of time. The mess, the smell of this food, the greasy things (gross) and also the noise of continued eating all day long would drive le up the wall, YADNBU OP.

Colleague used to peel dry skin off her arms and drop it on the floor in the staffroom.She created a rainbow shape of dry,grey skin around her chair every lunchtime. She had a serious skin condition so no one felt they could say anything. Absolutely revolting.

Oh give over.....
There's nothing snobbish about finding it gross that someone you work right next to is eating smelly junk food all day long and getting crumbs and grease all over a shared space.

Gosh I'm surprised she is allowed to eat if you are on the reception! Not professional looking at all.

Ugh. I am amazed that your employer allows this. What a terrible impression to set.

I actually would complain again and make it clear that it is a hygiene issue. She should eat somewhere other than her desk. Nobody needs to eat all day long. Is she obese?

Not a fat bashing thread. Actually having some rules in place at a reception is perfectly acceptable.

Perhaps OP you need to discuss with your manager having strict break and lunch times where you have to go away to eat rather than the constant snacking. This will reestablish healthy boundaries between work and rest, make the reception area a place of professionalism again and hopefully ease the mess.

I get it, someone always eating can be a distraction for yourself but also cause your own eating issues. I have a DC that constantly asks about food and it’s really frustrating that there’s constant eating and snacking and demands for food, I have eating issues that DCs fixation make worse for me.

is it just the mess though OP or is it a case of your colleagues gorging is making it trickier for you and your own eating habits?

This is horrible and I highly doubt anyone would be ok with it

Personally, I wouldn't want the smell. I wonder what your employers think about it, as mine won't tolerate anything being eaten if I'm meant to be working. She can't be working efficiently if she's always eating, can't answer phone immediately if she's got a mouth full. Officially we're only allowed to drink on breaks!

I feel like being reception changes things here a bit. Usually there are rules about receptionists not eating at the desk. Even if it's only occassion foot fall from customers, surely they don't want to be greated by someone snaffling a chicken drum stick.

Hmmm it's almost like people don't know what a 'lunch' break is for anymore.

Haven't read whole thread, but I'd find it gross too, I'm so sensitive to smells / touch stuff and I'd hate the food residue on my stuff!! Can you not jokingly say - mate! You got wings on my bag! (This is how I'd deal)

It's not healthy to eat shit food all day, she may have an eating disorder. But I'd have to say something gently and sensitively, about the greasy shared equipment

Agree with this.

I hear you OP.

a/its unproffesional to eat at a reception desk, let alone smelly crunchy food and something that leaves your fingers dirty which than transfers onto phone, documents etc.
b/ its rude to eat smelly and cruncy food next to a colleague.

It would disturb me from working plus if its smelly I would feel sick after a while of having to constantly breath/smell this.
I didnt get the impression you were shaming her for eating junk food from your posts as others have suggested. Its simply annoying to sit constantly at a fast food table.

You’ve only started this job a few weeks ago OP?

I'm surprised your company is ok with her eating while at reception and also answering the phone while chewing. That's kinda off-putting for a customer too.

I don't think you're being unreasonable and the only thing you can do is have a polite chat with her and ask her to be more conscious of where her food/crumbs land. Get some antibacterial wipes for the phone. I think it's only fair that you get to work in a place that doesn't gross you out.

I'd be judging. But then I'd be talking too. Thank goodness I'm wfh ft now but I did used to have dettol wipes in my drawer (at my own expense)for this sort of thing. Was also very lucky that after a few people got annoyed about it there was a no smelly foods at desk policy.